African-American Firsts Quiz

2. Who was the first African-American senator AFTER Reconstruction?

• Adam Clayton Powell
  Edward Brooke (R-Mass.) became the first African-American senator since Reconstruction, serving from 1966–1979.
• Edward Brooke
  Edward Brooke (R-Mass.) became the first African-American senator since Reconstruction, serving from 1966–1979.
• Barack Obama
  Edward Brooke (R-Mass.) became the first African-American senator since Reconstruction, serving from 1966–1979.

3. Who was the first African American to reach the North Pole?

• Matthew A. Henson
  In 1909, explorer Matthew A. Henson accompanied Robert E. Peary on the first successful U.S. expedition to the North Pole.
• Marcus Garvey
  In 1909, explorer Matthew A. Henson accompanied Robert E. Peary on the first successful U.S. expedition to the North Pole.
• Gordon Parks
  In 1909, explorer Matthew A. Henson accompanied Robert E. Peary on the first successful U.S. expedition to the North Pole.

4. Who was the first African-American Nobel Peace Prize winner?

• Martin Luther King
  Ralph J. Bunche received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1950 for mediating the Arab-Israeli truce. Martin Luther King became the second African-American Peace Prize winner in 1964.
• Ralph Bunche
  Ralph J. Bunche received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1950 for mediating the Arab-Israeli truce. Martin Luther King became the second African-American Peace Prize winner in 1964.
• John Hope Franklin
  Ralph J. Bunche received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1950 for mediating the Arab-Israeli truce. Martin Luther King became the second African-American Peace Prize winner in 1964.

5. Who was the first African-American Miss America?

• Halle Berry
  Vanessa Williams, 1984, representing New York. When controversial photos surfaced and Williams resigned, Suzette Charles of New Jersey, the runner-up and also an African American, assumed the title.
• Vanessa Williams
  Vanessa Williams, 1984, representing New York. When controversial photos surfaced and Williams resigned, Suzette Charles of New Jersey, the runner-up and also an African American, assumed the title.
• Tyra Banks
  Vanessa Williams, 1984, representing New York. When controversial photos surfaced and Williams resigned, Suzette Charles of New Jersey, the runner-up and also an African American, assumed the title.

6. Who was the first African-American heavy weight champion?

• Joe Frazier
  In 1908, Jack Johnson defeated Tommy Burns to become the world's first African-American heavyweight champion.
• Muhammad Ali
  In 1908, Jack Johnson defeated Tommy Burns to become the world's first African-American heavyweight champion.
• Jack Johnson
  In 1908, Jack Johnson defeated Tommy Burns to become the world's first African-American heavyweight champion.

7. Who was the first African-American millionaire?

• Madame C .J. Walker
  The first black millionaire was Madame C. J. Walker, an entrepreneur who invented black hair care products in the early 1900s and launched an enormously successful business. In 2001, Robert Johnson, owner of Black Entertainment Television, became the first black billionaire; Oprah Winfrey became the first black woman billionaire in 2003.
• Robert Johnson
  The first black millionaire was Madame C. J. Walker, an entrepreneur who invented black hair care products in the early 1900s and launched an enormously successful business. In 2001, Robert Johnson, owner of Black Entertainment Television, became the first black billionaire; Oprah Winfrey became the first black woman billionaire in 2003.
• Oprah Winfrey
  The first black millionaire was Madame C. J. Walker, an entrepreneur who invented black hair care products in the early 1900s and launched an enormously successful business. In 2001, Robert Johnson, owner of Black Entertainment Television, became the first black billionaire; Oprah Winfrey became the first black woman billionaire in 2003.

8. Who was the first African-American mayor of a major U.S. city?

• Tom Bradley
  In 1967, Carl Stokes became mayor of Cleveland, Ohio, making him the first black mayor of a major U.S. city. Tom Bradley became the first black mayor of Los Angeles in 1973, and David Dinkins became the first black mayor of New York City in 1989.
• David Dinkins
  In 1967, Carl Stokes became mayor of Cleveland, Ohio, making him the first black mayor of a major U.S. city. Tom Bradley became the first black mayor of Los Angeles in 1973, and David Dinkins became the first black mayor of New York City in 1989.
• Carl Stokes
  In 1967, Carl Stokes became mayor of Cleveland, Ohio, making him the first black mayor of a major U.S. city. Tom Bradley became the first black mayor of Los Angeles in 1973, and David Dinkins became the first black mayor of New York City in 1989.

9. What was the first African-American tennis champion?

• Arthur Ashe
  In 1957, Althea Gibson was the first black person to play in and win Wimbledon and the United States national tennis championship. She won both tournaments twice, in 1957 and 1958. In all, Gibson won 56 tournaments, including five Grand Slam singles events.
• Serena Williams
  In 1957, Althea Gibson was the first black person to play in and win Wimbledon and the United States national tennis championship. She won both tournaments twice, in 1957 and 1958. In all, Gibson won 56 tournaments, including five Grand Slam singles events.
• Althea Gibson
  In 1957, Althea Gibson was the first black person to play in and win Wimbledon and the United States national tennis championship. She won both tournaments twice, in 1957 and 1958. In all, Gibson won 56 tournaments, including five Grand Slam singles events.

10. Who was the first African American to win an Oscar?

• Sydney Poitier
  In 1940, Hattie McDaniel became the first African American to win an Oscar, for her supporting role in Gone With the Wind.
• Hattie McDaniel
  In 1940, Hattie McDaniel became the first African American to win an Oscar, for her supporting role in Gone With the Wind.
• James Earl Jones
  In 1940, Hattie McDaniel became the first African American to win an Oscar, for her supporting role in Gone With the Wind.