The Ultimate 1940s Genre Quiz
How much can you remember from the 40s? From historical events to Fashion, TV, Music and celebrities during the decade. You’ll find 50 questions divided into 5 rounds, so gather round for some nostalgic quizzing.
Round 1 – 40s Trivia
1 – Which Jewish victim of the Holocaust, famous for keeping a diary was captured in 1944?
2 – Which brand of military car was invented on May 26, 1941?
3 – Which electrical kitchen item was invented in 1945?
4 – What swimwear item was invented by French engineer Louis Réard in 1946?
5 – Which dictator committed suicide in 1945?
6 – What did the Polaroid Corporation invent in 1947?
7 – What type of pens went on sale on April 25, 1944?
8 – Which national memorial in the Black Hills region of South Dakota was completed in 1941?
9 – What is June 6th 1944 also known as?
10 – Which scientific theory was introduced to the world in 1948?
Round 2 – TV, Film & Showbiz
1 – In which 1940s children’s TV show would you hear “Kowabunga, Buffalo Bob.”?
2 – Which film musical featured Judy Garland in 1944?
3 – Which classic 1942 film featured Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman?
4 – What were Hal Fryar, Curley Myers and Larry Vincent better known as?
5 – Which now iconic Christmas film featuring James Stewart was released in 1946?
6 – Laurence Olivier married which British actress in 1940?
7 – Which American Western drama television series aired in 1949?
8 – What was Orson Welles first cinematic feature?
9 – Name Charlie Chaplin’s first film that he wrote, directed, produced, and starred in as both lead roles?
10 – Which ‘Magic Moments’ singer has his own TV show in 1948?
Round 3 – Music
1 – Who was the best selling music artist of the 1940s?
2 – What was the most popular style of music in the early 40s?
3 – Which sisters sang the 1943 hit ‘Shoo Shoo Baby’?
4 – Which singers version of ‘You Are My Sunshine’ was Winston Churchill’s favourite?
5 – During World War 2 which singer was known as ‘The iconic singing cowboy’?
6 – Which Beatle was born October 9th 1940?
7 – Champion Jack Dupree played which instrument?
8 – Just a-Sittin’ and a-Rockin’ was a 1946 hit by which group?
9 – Which Welsh icon, born ‘Thomas Woodward’ was born in 1940?
10 – Who sang the 1941 chart hit ‘God Bless the Child’?
Round 4 – Historical Events
1 – World War II officially ended on September 2nd of which year?
2 – NATO was formed in which year?
3 – In 1944, Iceland declared independence from which country?
4 – In which year did the British rule in Burma end?
5 – On January 30th 1948, which Indian activist and leader of the Indian independence movement was killed?
6 – Who was the British prime minister from 1940 – 1945?
7 – Who got married at Westminster Abbey on the 20, November 1947?
8 – On August 6, 1945, the US dropped a five-ton bomb over which Japanese city?
9 – In which year did Japan attack Pearl Harbour?
10 – Which US president died in office in 1945?
Round 5 – True or False?
1 – World War II started in 1940 – True or False?
2 – North and South Korea divided in 1948 – True or False?
3 – Slinky toys hit shelves in the 40s – True or False?
4 – The first non-stop flight around the world happened in 1949 – True or False?
5 – Chocolate bars were invented in 1947 – True or False?
6 – Queen Elizabeth was coronated in 1948 – True or False?
7 – Football icon Pelé was born in 1940 – True or False?
8 – The Blitz was a German bombing campaign against the UK – True or False?
9 – Trampolines were invented in 1940 – True or False?
10 – A female cleaner cracked the Germans ‘Enigma code’ in 1941 – True or False?
If you liked this 1940s quiz, have any quiz requests, spotted a mistake, or would like to let us know how you got on, please let us know in the comments below…