Quiz of the Day
The 50 United States
Wednesday, 9 September 2026
California was admitted to the Union on 9 Sep 1850 — a geography quiz on US states, capitals, nicknames and landmarks.
1. California was admitted to the Union in 1850 as which numbered state?
- 31st
- 27th
- 35th
- 42nd
California became the 31st state on September 9, 1850, skipping the usual territorial waiting period thanks to the population boom of the Gold Rush. It entered as a free state under the Compromise of 1850, which helped delay the Civil War for a decade. Its rapid admission made it one of the few states to bypass being organized as a formal U.S. territory first.
2. What is the capital of California?
- San Diego
- Los Angeles
- Sacramento
- San Francisco
Sacramento has been California's capital since 1854, chosen partly for its central location and river access during the Gold Rush era. Despite being the seat of government, it is far smaller than Los Angeles or San Diego. The city sits at the confluence of the Sacramento and American rivers.
3. Which state is nicknamed the 'Sunshine State'?
- California
- Arizona
- Florida
- Hawaii
Florida officially adopted the nickname 'Sunshine State' in 1970, and it appears on the state's license plates. The name reflects its warm, subtropical climate that draws millions of tourists and retirees each year. Despite the name, Florida is also famous for frequent afternoon thunderstorms, especially around Tampa.
4. Which U.S. state has the largest total area?
- California
- Montana
- Texas
- Alaska
Alaska covers about 663,000 square miles, making it more than twice the size of Texas, the next largest state. Purchased from Russia in 1867 for $7.2 million, it was mocked at the time as 'Seward's Folly.' It became the 49th state in 1959.
5. The Grand Canyon is located primarily in which state?
- Arizona
- Utah
- Nevada
- Colorado
The Grand Canyon, carved by the Colorado River over millions of years, lies almost entirely within northern Arizona. It stretches roughly 277 miles long and reaches depths of over a mile. Grand Canyon National Park was established in 1919 and now draws millions of visitors annually.
6. Which state is known as the 'Lone Star State'?
- Oklahoma
- Texas
- Kansas
- New Mexico
Texas earned the nickname 'Lone Star State' from the single star on its flag, a symbol dating to its years as an independent republic from 1836 to 1845. The star represented Texas standing alone after winning independence from Mexico. It is the only U.S. state to have been a fully recognized sovereign nation before joining the Union.
7. What is the capital of the state of New York?
- Rochester
- Buffalo
- New York City
- Albany
Albany, not New York City, has served as New York's capital since 1797. Located on the Hudson River, it is one of the oldest continuously chartered cities in the United States. Many people mistakenly assume the far larger New York City holds the title.
8. Which state is the smallest by total area?
- New Jersey
- Connecticut
- Rhode Island
- Delaware
Rhode Island covers only about 1,214 square miles, making it the smallest U.S. state. Despite its size, its official name is the longest: 'State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations,' though voters shortened it to 'Rhode Island' in 2020. It was also the first colony to declare independence from Britain in 1776.
9. Mount Rushmore, featuring four carved presidential faces, is in which state?
- Montana
- Nebraska
- South Dakota
- Wyoming
Mount Rushmore is carved into the granite of the Black Hills in South Dakota and depicts Washington, Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Lincoln. Sculptor Gutzon Borglum led the work from 1927 to 1941. Each of the four faces stands about 60 feet tall.
10. Which state is nicknamed the 'Aloha State'?
- Florida
- Hawaii
- California
- Alaska
Hawaii, the 'Aloha State,' became the 50th and most recent U.S. state in 1959. It is the only state made up entirely of islands and the only one located outside North America. The word 'aloha' can mean hello, goodbye, and love in the Hawaiian language.
11. What is the capital of Illinois?
- Chicago
- Springfield
- Peoria
- Rockford
Springfield became the capital of Illinois in 1837, championed by a young state legislator named Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln lived in Springfield for nearly a quarter century before becoming president, and he is buried there. Chicago, though far larger, has never been the state capital.
12. The Great Salt Lake gives its name to the capital city of which state?
- Nevada
- Utah
- Idaho
- Wyoming
Salt Lake City, the capital of Utah, was founded by Mormon pioneers led by Brigham Young in 1847. It sits near the Great Salt Lake, one of the saltiest bodies of water in the world, where swimmers float easily. The city hosted the Winter Olympics in 2002.
13. Which state is nicknamed the 'Green Mountain State'?
- New Hampshire
- Maine
- Vermont
- Massachusetts
Vermont's nickname comes from the French words 'vert mont,' meaning 'green mountain,' reflecting its forested Green Mountains range. It is the leading U.S. producer of maple syrup. Vermont was also the first state admitted to the Union after the original thirteen, joining in 1791.
14. Which state was the first to ratify the U.S. Constitution, earning the nickname 'The First State'?
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- Delaware
- Virginia
Delaware ratified the U.S. Constitution on December 7, 1787, becoming the first state to do so. This earned it the proud nickname 'The First State.' Despite being one of the smallest states, its early ratification gave it a lasting place in American history.
15. Which state shares a name with a river and is home to the city of Portland?
- Idaho
- Oregon
- Washington
- Montana
Oregon's largest city, Portland, sits along the Willamette River near its meeting with the Columbia River. The state marked the end of the Oregon Trail, the pioneer route that carried thousands of settlers west in the mid-1800s. Oregon became the 33rd state in 1859.