34 May Trivia Questions

As May rolls in, so does the promise of warmer weather and longer days. 

What better way to celebrate the arrival of spring than with some fun trivia questions to test your knowledge or engage your friends and family in a friendly competition? 

Whether you’re hosting a trivia night at a local bar or simply looking to challenge yourself, these May trivia questions will keep you entertained and informed about various aspects of this delightful month.

May Trivia Questions

1. Historical Events: On May 1, 1931, which iconic New York City skyscraper was officially opened?
   
   
2. Space Exploration: What significant space event happened on May 5, 1961?
   
   
3. Literature: Which famous American author, known for “The Great Gatsby,” was born on May 24, 1896?
   
   
4. Music History: On May 9, 1962, which famous song by The Beatles was released as their first single?
   
   
5. Sports Milestones: On May 6, 1954, who became the first person to run a mile in under four minutes?
   
   
6. World Leaders: Which British monarch was born on May 24, 1819?
   
   
7. Cinematic Achievements: Which film, widely regarded as the first summer blockbuster, was released on May 25, 1977?
   
   
8. Technological Advances: On May 22, 1906, who patented the first successful airplane?
   
   
9. Art History: On May 20, 1506, which famous explorer, known for his voyages to the Americas, passed away?
   
   
10. Global Celebrations: What significant international holiday is observed on May 1st?
    
    
11. Environmental Awareness: What day is celebrated globally on May 22nd to promote biodiversity?
    
    
12. Historical Disasters: On May 7, 1915, which British ocean liner was sunk by a German U-boat?
    
    
13. Science Breakthroughs: On May 28, 1959, which two animals became the first living beings to return safely from space?
    
    
14. Famous Birthdays: Which influential leader in the Indian independence movement was born on May 7, 1861?
    
    
15. Historical Anniversaries: May 8 marks the end of World War II in Europe in what year?
    
    
16. Cultural Festivals: Which Asian festival, known as the “Dragon Boat Festival,” often occurs in May?
    
    
17. Medical Milestones: On May 14, 1796, who performed the first successful vaccination against smallpox?
    
    
18. Global Events: What important political document was signed on May 14, 1955, in Warsaw?
    
    
19. Art: Which famous painting by Pablo Picasso, depicting the horrors of war, was completed in May 1937?
    
    
20. Film History: On May 16, 1929, where were the first Academy Awards held?
    
    
21. Historical Expeditions: Which famous British ship began its maiden voyage on May 27, 1936?
    
    
22. Scientific Achievements: On May 20, 1873, who patented blue jeans with copper rivets?
    
    
23. Music Legends: Which iconic reggae musician, known for “No Woman, No Cry,” was born on May 11, 1945?
    
    
24. Astronomical Events: What rare celestial event, last seen in May 2012, won’t occur again until 2117?
    
    
25. World History: On May 29, 1453, which city, the capital of the Byzantine Empire, fell to the Ottomans?
    
    
26. Medical History: On May 1, 1840, the first adhesive postage stamp, known by what name, was issued in the United Kingdom?
    
    
27. Sports Records: Which famous baseball player hit his 715th home run on May 4, 1975, breaking Babe Ruth’s record?
    
    
28. Environmental Significance: What is the theme of World Environment Day celebrated on May 5th, 2024?
    
    
29. Technology Milestones: On May 24, 1844, what message was sent by Samuel Morse in the first telegraph line from Washington, D.C., to Baltimore?
    
    
30. Famous Birthdays: Which British Prime Minister, known for his role during World War II, was born on May 10, 1940?
    
    
31. Historical Architecture: On May 11, 330, which city was officially dedicated as the new capital of the Roman Empire?
    
    
32. Cultural Heritage: May 18th is celebrated internationally as what day, focusing on the preservation of cultural and natural heritage?
    
    
33. Literary Classics: Which famous Russian novelist, known for “War and Peace,” was born on May 28, 1828?
    
    
34. Historic Anniversaries: May 17 marks the anniversary of the Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision in what year?

Answers

1. Empire State Building: The Empire State Building was officially opened on May 1, 1931.
   
   
2. Alan Shepard’s Space Flight: Alan Shepard became the first American in space on May 5, 1961.
   
   
3. F. Scott Fitzgerald: F. Scott Fitzgerald, author of “The Great Gatsby,” was born on May 24, 1896.
   
   
4. “Love Me Do”: “Love Me Do” by The Beatles was released on May 9, 1962.
   
   
5. Roger Bannister: Roger Bannister ran the first sub-four-minute mile on May 6, 1954.
   
   
6. Queen Victoria: Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom was born on May 24, 1819.
   
   
7. “Star Wars”: The original “Star Wars” movie (Episode IV – A New Hope) was released on May 25, 1977.
   
   
8. Wright Brothers: Orville and Wilbur Wright patented their airplane design on May 22, 1906.
   
   
9. Christopher Columbus: Christopher Columbus died on May 20, 1506.
   
   
10. International Workers’ Day: May 1st is celebrated as International Workers’ Day or Labour Day.
    
    
11. International Day for Biological Diversity: May 22nd is observed as the International Day for Biological Diversity.
    
    
12. RMS Lusitania: The RMS Lusitania was sunk on May 7, 1915.
    
    
13. Able and Miss Baker: Able, a rhesus monkey, and Miss Baker, a squirrel monkey, returned safely from space on May 28, 1959.
    
    
14. Rabindranath Tagore: Rabindranath Tagore, a polymath and a key figure in Indian literature and music, was born on May 7, 1861.
    
    
15. 1945: Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) marking the end of WWII in Europe occurred on May 8, 1945.
    
    
16. Duanwu Festival: The Duanwu Festival, also known as the Dragon Boat Festival, often occurs in May.
    
    
17. Edward Jenner: Edward Jenner performed the first successful smallpox vaccination on May 14, 1796.
    
    
18. Warsaw Pact: The Warsaw Pact was signed on May 14, 1955.
    
    
19. “Guernica” by Picasso: Picasso completed “Guernica” in May 1937, depicting the bombing of a Spanish town.
    
    
20. Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel: The first Academy Awards were held at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.
    
    
21. RMS Queen Mary: The RMS Queen Mary embarked on its maiden voyage on May 27, 1936.
    
    
22. Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis: Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis patented blue jeans on May 20, 1873.
    
    
23. Bob Marley: Reggae legend Bob Marley was born on May 11, 1945.
    
    
24. Transit of Venus: The rare astronomical event, the transit of Venus across the sun, last occurred in May 2012.
    
    
25. Constantinople: Constantinople fell to the Ottoman Empire on May 29, 1453.
    
    
26. The Penny Black: The first adhesive postage stamp, known as “The Penny Black,” was issued in the UK.
    
    
27. Hank Aaron: Hank Aaron hit his 715th home run on May 4, 1975.
    
    
28. Theme: Journey to a Greener Future
    
    
29. “What hath God wrought”: Samuel Morse sent the message “What hath God wrought” in the first telegraph communication.
    
    
30. John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough: Born on May 10, 1940 (Note: Winston Churchill, often associated with WWII, was born on November 30, 1874).
    
    
31. Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul): Constantinople was dedicated on May 11, 330.
    
    
32. International Museum Day: May 18th is International Museum Day.
    
    
33. Leo Tolstoy: Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy was born on May 28, 1828.
    
    
34. 1954: The Brown v. Board of Education decision was made on May 17, 1954.