USA Quest: Fun Facts & Surprising States

Explore cool U.S. facts, landmarks, and history in a kid-friendly quiz—test your smarts and discover surprises about the United States!

  1. Which U.S. state was the last to be admitted to the Union?
    1. Arizona
    2. Alaska
    3. Puerto Rico
    4. Hawaii
  2. Which river forms much of the border between Texas and Mexico?
    1. Colorado River
    2. Rio Grande
    3. Mississippi
    4. Rio Bravo
  3. Which U.S. president signed the Emancipation Proclamation?
    1. Roosevelt
    2. Jefferson
    3. Lincoln
    4. Johnson
  4. What city is home to the U.S. Space Force headquarters?
    1. Houston
    2. Colorado Springs
    3. Los Angeles
    4. Cape Canaveral
  5. Which U.S. state produces the most corn (maize)?
    1. Iowa
    2. Illinois
    3. Nebraska
    4. Kansas
  6. Which amendment to the Constitution guarantees freedom of speech?
    1. First
    2. Second
    3. Fourth
    4. Tenth
  7. Which U.S. national park is famous for its geysers, including Old Faithful?
    1. Yellowstone
    2. Yosemite
    3. Grand Canyon
    4. Zion

Answers and explanations

  1. Question: Which U.S. state was the last to be admitted to the Union?
    Answer: Hawaii
    Explanation: Hawaii became the 50th state in 1959, marking the final addition to the United States; Alaska joined just before it the same year. Many confuse territories or recent events with statehood.
  2. Question: Which river forms much of the border between Texas and Mexico?
    Answer: Rio Grande
    Explanation: The Rio Grande serves as a long natural border between Texas and Mexico; some wrongly name the Rio Bravo (Spanish name for the same river) or other nearby rivers.
  3. Question: Which U.S. president signed the Emancipation Proclamation?
    Answer: Lincoln
    Explanation: President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, freeing enslaved people in Confederate-held territories; some confuse it with later amendments or other presidents.
  4. Question: What city is home to the U.S. Space Force headquarters?
    Answer: Colorado Springs
    Explanation: The U.S. Space Force headquarters is in Colorado Springs, Colorado, a center for several military space organizations; people often guess Houston because of NASA.
  5. Question: Which U.S. state produces the most corn (maize)?
    Answer: Iowa
    Explanation: Iowa leads the nation in corn production thanks to its fertile soil and large farms; while states like Illinois and Nebraska are close, Iowa tops the list by yield.
  6. Question: Which amendment to the Constitution guarantees freedom of speech?
    Answer: First
    Explanation: The First Amendment protects free speech, press, religion, assembly, and petition; people sometimes mix it up with later amendments that protect other rights.
  7. Question: Which U.S. national park is famous for its geysers, including Old Faithful?
    Answer: Yellowstone
    Explanation: Yellowstone National Park is known for its geothermal features like Old Faithful and was the world's first national park; some might incorrectly think Yosemite or Grand Canyon.