Every great achievement had a first time. Today’s quiz looks at nine famous firsts, from the earliest airplane flight to the first telephone call and the first steps into space. Pick the answer that seems best to you.
The first successful powered airplane flight, in December 1903, took place near which town?
About how long did that first flight last?
In 1957, which country launched Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite to orbit Earth?
Who became the first human to travel into space, in April 1961?
Alan Shepard became the first American in space on May 5, 1961. What was his spacecraft named?
Which cosmonaut became the first woman in space, in 1963?
In 1983, Sally Ride became the first American woman in space. Which space shuttle carried her?
In 1932, Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly solo nonstop across which body of water?
In 1876, Alexander Graham Bell made the first successful telephone call in which city?
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How to Play
- Tap the answer you think is right.
- You will see right away whether you got it, plus a short explanation.
- Do not worry about the score. Learning something new is the real prize.
- Your progress is saved on this device.
A Tip for Trivia
When you are not sure, look for the choice you can rule out first. Dates and numbers can often be narrowed down by thinking about what else was happening at the time. Many of these pioneers were also surprised by how quickly the world changed afterward.