34 December Trivia Questions

December is a month filled with holidays, celebrations, and interesting historical events. 

What better way to get into the festive spirit than with some fun and challenging trivia questions? 

Whether you’re planning a holiday gathering or just looking to test your knowledge, these December trivia questions will provide entertainment and spark some interesting discussions. 

Let’s dive into the world of December trivia!

December Trivia Questions

1. Historical Events: What significant global event began on December 7, 1941, with an attack on Pearl Harbor?
   
   
2. Astronomy: What astronomical event occurs in December, marking the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere?
   
   
3. Famous Birthdays: Which famous composer, known for “Ode to Joy” and the 9th Symphony, was born on December 16, 1770?
   
   
4. World Leaders: Who became the President of South Africa on December 10, 1994?
   
   
5. Entertainment: On December 15, 1939, which iconic American film had its premiere in Atlanta, Georgia?
   
   
6. Sports History: The first FIFA World Cup was awarded on December 13, 1930. Which country won it?
   
   
7. Technological Advances: On December 17, 1903, the Wright brothers made their first successful flight in which location?
   
   
8. Literary Releases: Which famous novel by Jane Austen was first published on December 16, 1815?
   
   
9. Music Milestones: On December 3, 1965, which famous British rock band released their album “Rubber Soul”?
   
   
10. Global Celebrations: What important holiday is celebrated on December 25th in many parts of the world?
    
    
11. Art History: On December 2, 1859, which French post-impressionist painter, known for his vivid colors and emotional portrayal, was born?
    
    
12. Historical Anniversaries: December 1st is the anniversary of which iconic civil rights event that occurred in 1955?
    
    
13. Space Exploration: On December 14, 1972, who was the last person to walk on the moon?
    
    
14. Environmental Awareness: What international day, celebrated on December 11th, focuses on the importance of mountains?
    
    
15. Nobel Prizes: The Nobel Prizes are traditionally awarded on December 10th, the anniversary of whose death?
    
    
16. Cultural Festivals: Which Jewish holiday, often occurring in December, is known as the Festival of Lights?
    
    
17. Historical Inventions: On December 18, 1878, which famous inventor made the first public demonstration of his incandescent light bulb?
    
    
18. Film History: On December 28, 1895, the Lumière brothers held the first commercial film screening in which city?
    
    
19. Historical Events: What historic event happened on December 26, 2004, in the Indian Ocean?
    
    
20. Science: On December 14, 1900, which physicist presented a paper that led to the birth of quantum theory?
    
    
21. Art: Which famous painting by Leonardo da Vinci was acquired by King Francis I of France on December 19, 1518?
    
    
22. Literature: On December 10, 1830, which famous American poet, known for “Leaves of Grass,” was born?
    
    
23. Music: Which influential jazz musician, known as the “King of Swing,” was born on December 25, 1907?
    
    
24. Politics: On December 18, 1865, which amendment was ratified, abolishing slavery in the United States?
    
    
25. Space Exploration: On December 24, 1968, astronauts of which Apollo mission took the famous “Earthrise” photograph?
    
    
26. Environmental Events: What natural disaster struck Newfoundland, Canada, on December 12, 1917?
    
    
27. Inventions: On December 17, 1903, the Wright brothers flew the first powered aircraft. What was the name of this airplane?
    
    
28. Global Celebrations: December 5th is internationally recognized as what special day, dedicated to volunteer work?
    
    
29. Historical Birthdays: Which famous physicist, known for developing the theory of relativity, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in December 1922?
    
    
30. Cultural Festivals: Which important Hindu festival, sometimes falling in December, is known as the “Festival of Lights”?
    
    
31. Literary Anniversaries: On December 16, 1775, which influential English novelist, known for “Pride and Prejudice,” was born?
    
    
32. Medical Advances: On December 14, 1799, which American president died, likely due to a series of medical practices now considered harmful?
    
    
33. Art History: Which renowned Spanish painter, famous for his Blue Period, was born on December 25, 1881?
    
    
34. Historical Documents: On December 15, 1791, which important American document was ratified, comprising the first ten amendments?

Answers

1. World War II: The attack on Pearl Harbor by Japan on December 7, 1941, marked the United States’ entry into World War II.
   
   
2. Winter Solstice: The Winter Solstice occurs in December and is the day with the shortest period of daylight in the Northern Hemisphere.
   
   
3. Ludwig van Beethoven: Beethoven, one of the world’s most famous composers, was born on December 16, 1770.
   
   
4. Nelson Mandela: Nelson Mandela became the President of South Africa on December 10, 1994.
   
   
5. “Gone with the Wind”: The premiere of “Gone with the Wind” took place on December 15, 1939, in Atlanta.
   
   
6. Uruguay: Uruguay won the first FIFA World Cup on December 13, 1930.
   
   
7. Kitty Hawk, North Carolina: The Wright brothers achieved their first flight in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, on December 17, 1903.
   
   
8. “Emma”: Jane Austen’s novel “Emma” was first published on December 16, 1815.
   
   
9. The Beatles: The Beatles released their influential album “Rubber Soul” on December 3, 1965.
   
   
10. Christmas: December 25th is celebrated as Christmas, a major holiday in Christianity and a widely observed cultural event.
    
    
11. Georges Seurat: French artist Georges Seurat, a leader in the neo-impressionist movement, was born on December 2, 1859.
    
    
12. Rosa Parks’ Bus Boycott: On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a bus, sparking the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
    
    
13. Gene Cernan: Astronaut Gene Cernan was the last person to walk on the moon on December 14, 1972, during the Apollo 17 mission.
    
    
14. International Mountain Day: December 11th is International Mountain Day, highlighting the importance of mountains and sustainable mountain development.
    
    
15. Alfred Nobel: The Nobel Prizes are awarded on the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death, which occurred on December 10, 1896.
    
    
16. Hanukkah: Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem and often occurs in December.
    
    
17. Thomas Edison: Thomas Edison demonstrated his incandescent light bulb for the first time on December 18, 1878.
    
    
18. Paris, France: The first commercial film screening by the Lumière brothers occurred in Paris on December 28, 1895.
    
    
19. Indian Ocean Earthquake and Tsunami: A devastating tsunami, triggered by an undersea earthquake, occurred in the Indian Ocean on December 26, 2004.
    
    
20. Max Planck: Max Planck presented his quantum theory paper on December 14, 1900.
    
    
21. Mona Lisa: Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa” was acquired by King Francis I of France on December 19, 1518.
    
    
22. Walt Whitman: American poet Walt Whitman, author of “Leaves of Grass,” was born on December 10, 1830.
    
    
23. Benny Goodman: Benny Goodman, the “King of Swing,” was born on December 25, 1907.
    
    
24. 13th Amendment: The 13th Amendment, abolishing slavery, was ratified on December 18, 1865.
    
    
25. Apollo 8: The “Earthrise” photograph was taken by astronauts of Apollo 8 on December 24, 1968.
    
    
26. Halifax Explosion: The Halifax Explosion, a devastating event, occurred in Newfoundland on December 12, 1917.
    
    
27. Wright Flyer: The airplane flown by the Wright brothers was named the Wright Flyer.
    
    
28. International Volunteer Day: December 5th is recognized as International Volunteer Day.
    
    
29. Albert Einstein: Albert Einstein, who developed the theory of relativity, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in December 1922.
    
    
30. Diwali: Diwali, the Hindu “Festival of Lights,” sometimes falls in December.
    
    
31. Jane Austen: English novelist Jane Austen was born on December 16, 1775.
    
    
32. George Washington: American president George Washington died on December 14, 1799.
    
    
33. Pablo Picasso: The Spanish painter Pablo Picasso, known for his Blue Period, was born on December 25, 1881.
    
    
34. Bill of Rights: The Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, was ratified on December 15, 1791.