QUIZ: See If You Can Name These Famous Figures Of The 20th Century

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The 20th century was an eventful 100 years for the world. We experienced two world wars, social and economic change on a global scale, and watched in awe as technology began to develop to heights that many of us could have never dreamed of. With all of the political and social change and struggles the world faced during that time, some individuals stood out and left their mark on the world. See if you can name these famous figures that became prominent individuals in the 20th century and discover how the century wouldn’t have been the same without them.

This artist was known for his abstract paintings…

0%

Retry Correct Incorrect Pablo Picasso was a Spanish artist that was known for co-founding the Cubist art movement, along with numerous other Avante-Garde styles of artistry.

Bettman/Getty Images

This artist was known for his abstract paintings…

Pablo Picasso
Albert Gleized
Henry Matisse
Andre Derian

He was a gangster and a businessman…

3%

Retry Correct Incorrect Known by the nickname “Scarface”, Al Capone was a crime boss during the Prohibition era in Chicago. For a while, he was “Public Enemy No.1” until he finally met his end at 48 years old.

Bettmann/Getty Images

He was a gangster and a businessman…

Al Capone
Frank Costello
Johnny Torrio
Baby Face Nelson

He started small and eventually created an empire…

5%

Retry Correct Incorrect Walt Disney was the force behind the American animation industry and is credited with co-founding The Walt Disney Company. As a producer, Disney holds the record for the most Academy Awards and is best-known for establishing the Disney empire.

Bettmann/Getty Images

He started small and eventually created an empire…

Walt Disney
Henry Ford
Vincent Van Gogh
Thomas Edison

He’s done things that few of us have done before…

8%

Retry Correct Incorrect Neil Armstong was an American astronaut and the first man to walk on the moon. His famous line was: “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind”.

Ronald Dumont/Express/Getty Images

He’s done things that few of us have done before…

Diego Maradona
Neil Armstrong
Buzz Aldrin
Buddy Holly

Who is this famous pop star?

10%

Retry Correct Incorrect Named “The King of Pop”, Michael Jackson built himself up to be one of the most well-known entertainers in the world. He made many contributions to singing, dancing, fashion, and art throughout his life.

Michael Putland/Getty Images

Who is this famous pop star?

Michael Jackson
Prince
Lionel Richie
Smokey Robinson

Who is this renowned Army general?

13%

Retry Correct Incorrect General Patton was a senior officer in the U.S. Army during World War II.

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Who is this renowned Army general?

Dwight D. Eisenhower
James Mathis
Douglas MacArthur
George S. Patton

Who is this classy woman?

15%

Retry Correct Incorrect “CoCo” Chanel was a French fashion designer and founder of Chanel. Shecexpanded her company to accessories, jewelry, and perfume.

New York Times Co./Getty Images

Who is this classy woman?

Coco Chanel
Christian Dior
Yves St. Laurent
Queen Elizabeth II

This man was an inventor, engineer, and futurist. Who is he?

18%

Retry Correct Incorrect Nikola Tesla made significant contributions to the world in his 86 years of life. Most notably are his contributions to the design of the modern AC electricity supply system. Today, numerous things are named after Tesla, including Tesla, Inc., the American electric car manufacturer.

Albert Einstein
Nikola Tesla
James Dyson
Charles Lindbergh

Who is this humanitarian?

20%

Retry Correct Incorrect Mother Teresa founded the Missionaries charity, a worldwide charity devoted to helping people with all forms of needs. In 2016, she was canonized as a saint among a number of other honors.

Chip HIRES/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

Who is this humanitarian?

Kristine Pearson
Mother Teresa
Louisa May Alcott
Indira Gandhi

Who was this angsty rock and roll singer?

23%

Retry Correct Incorrect Janis Joplin was a rock and roll singer and songwriter during the 1960s. She is widely considered to be the greatest female rock singer of her time. She died of a heroin overdose at the age of 27.

Julie Snow/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Who was this angsty rock and roll singer?

Patti Smith
Joan Baez
Amy Winehouse
Janis Joplin

Who is this legendary basketball player?

25%

Retry Correct Incorrect Michael Jordan played 15 seasons during his time in the NBA, for the Washington Wizards and the Chicago Bulls. Regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time, he is now the owner and chairman of the Charlotte Hornets.

Mike Powelll/Allsport

Who is this legendary basketball player?

Shaquille O’Neal
Mike Bibby
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Michael Jordan

She was famous during the Hollywood Golden Age…

28%

Retry Correct Incorrect Audrey Hepburn was a British actress who became famous during Hollywood’s Golden Age. She is known for films such as Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Sabrina, and My Fair Lady.

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She was famous during the Hollywood Golden Age…

Anneyye Storyberg
Audrey Hepburn
Carol Baker
Ann-Margret

Who is the man on the right?

30%

Retry Correct Incorrect Steve Jobs was the CEO and co-founder of Apple Inc. Steve Wozniak and Jobs created the microcomputer in the 1970s and ’80s.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Who is the man on the right?

Alexander Flemming
Steve Jobs
James Dyson
Tim Berners-Lee

He was a minister turned television personality…

33%

Retry Correct Incorrect Fred Rogers was a television personality that is best-known for his creation of the preschool television program Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood. Before becoming a television host, he was an ordained Presbyterian minister.

Fotos International/Courtesy of Getty Images

He was a minister turned television personality…

Fred Rogers
Dan Andelman
Zak Bagans
Bobby Berk

He’s famous for more than one reason…

35%

Retry Correct Incorrect Simpson is a former NFL running back. Aside from being a professional athlete, he is known for his trial and was cleared for the murder of ex-wife Nicole Brown Newman and her friend Ron Goldman.

Steve Marcus-Pool/Getty Images

He’s famous for more than one reason…

Luis Garavito
Andrei Chikatilo
O.J. Simpson
Ahmad Suradji

Who is this actor?

38%

Retry Correct Incorrect Currently, Kirk Douglas is one of the last remaining actors from Hollywood’s Golden Age. He was a leading star throughout the 1950s and 60s and has appeared in over 90 movies.

Silver Screen Collection/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Who is this actor?

Kirk Douglas
Paul Newman
Gary Cooper
Marlon Brando

Who is this comic-book legend?

40%

Retry Correct Incorrect Lee is an American comic-book writer and former editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics. He helped create comics such as Spiderman, the Hulk, Daredevil, and more.

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Who is this comic-book legend?

Alan Moore
Neil Gaiman
Stan Lee
Jack Kirby

He’s one of the best-selling musicians of all time…

43%

Retry Correct Incorrect Elton John is a world-renown musician and performer. He has had a career spanning five-decades with more than fifty Top 40 hits. He is currently one of the best-selling artists of all time selling over 300 million records.

David Redfern/Redferns

He’s one of the best-selling musicians of all time…

Elton John
Rod Stewart
Bernie Taupin
Billy Joel

This artist focused on the idea of self-identity…

45%

Retry Correct Incorrect Kahlo was a Mexican artist who focused on self-portraits and the concept of self-identity. Mexican pop culture inspired her. She was a member of the Mexicayoti movement.

Hulton Archive/Getty Images

This artist focused on the idea of self-identity…

Lyubov Popova
Frida Kahlo
Beatrix Potter
Lorna Simpson

He released a series of groundbreaking novels…

48%

Retry Correct Incorrect Tolkien was a soldier, university professor, and the author of the revolutionary fantasy novels The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, and The Silmarillion.

Haywood Magee/Picture Post/Getty Images

He released a series of groundbreaking novels…

Ernest Hemingway
J. R. R. Tolkien
W.E.B. DuBois
Upton Sinclair

What’s the name of this suave singer?

50%

Retry Correct Incorrect Sinatra was a famous singer, actor, and member of the Rat Pack. He has sold over 150 million records and had a cult following known as the “Bobby Soxers”.

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What’s the name of this suave singer?

Frank Sinatra
Tony Bennett
Bobby Viton
Bing Crosby

He wanted to end apartheid…

53%

Retry Correct Incorrect Mandela was a South African apartheid revolutionary. He served as the President of South Africa and worked towards eliminating apartheid. He was also the President of the African National Congress.

Media24/Gallo Images/Getty Images

He wanted to end apartheid…

W.E.B. DuBois
Booker T. Washington
Nelson Mandela
Frederick Douglas

Who is this musician?

55%

Retry Correct Incorrect Jimi Hendrix was a rock and rock guitarist, singer, and songwriter during the 1960s. He is one of the most admired electric guitarists to have ever lived, even though his major career only lasted around four years.

Bob Baker/Redferns

Who is this musician?

Carlos Santana
Stevie Ray Vaughan
B.B. King
Jimi Hendrix

He was named “The Godfather of Gangster Rap”

58%

Retry Correct Incorrect Eazy-E was a member of the rap group N.W.A. and a successful solo artist.

Al Pereira/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Image

He was named “The Godfather of Gangster Rap”

Eazy-E
Biggie Smalls
Tupac Shakur
Mac Dre

He was the U.S. president during World War I…

60%

Retry Correct Incorrect Wilson was the 29th President of the United States from 1913-1921, during World War I. He developed a foreign policy known as “Wilsonianism.”

Tony Essex/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

He was the U.S. president during World War I…

Calvin Coolidge
Woodrow Wilson
Herbert Hoover
Theodore Roosevelt

She acted in one of the first color films…

63%

Retry Correct Incorrect Judy Garland’s career spanned more than 40 years. She was an actress, singer, and a vaudevillian. She is most remembered for her starring role in The Wizard of Oz.

Silver Screen Collection/Getty Image

She acted in one of the first color films…

Judy Garland
Doris Day
Julie Andrews
Liza Minnelli

Who was this revolutionary?

65%

Retry Correct Incorrect Che Guevara was an Argentine Marxist revolutionary. He played a major role in the Cuban Revolution. His image has become a famous insignia in the counterculture.

Keystone/Getty Images

Who was this revolutionary?

Leon Trotsky
Che Guevara
Fidel Castro
Michael Collins

Who is this brave woman?

68%

Retry Correct Incorrect Amelia Earhart was the first woman to ever fly solo over the Atlantic Ocean, one of the many records that she set over her piloting career. While attempting to circumnavigate the world, she disappeared over the Pacific Ocean.

Bettmann/Getty Images

Who is this brave woman?

Valentina Tereshkova
Amelia Earhart
Elizabeth Taylor
Nora Ephron

She sang the song “Don’t Rain On My Parade”…

70%

Retry Correct Incorrect Barbra Streisand has been a powerhouse in entertainment over the past sixty years. She is one of the few accomplished EGOTs and has been awarded the President Medal of Freedom and countless awards.

Barbra Streisand
Bette Midler
Celine Dion
Donna Summer

Who is this baseball player?

73%

Retry Correct Incorrect Jackie Robinson was the first African American baseball player to play in Major League Baseball. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962 and was an All-Star for six consecutive seasons.

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Who is this baseball player?

Jackie Robinson
Barry Bonds
Hank Aaron
Babe Ruth

This woman was heavily involved in European politics…

75%

Retry Correct Incorrect Margaret Thatcher was the first female Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, holding the position between 1979 and 1990.

Tim Graham/Getty Images

This woman was heavily involved in European politics…

Angela Merkel
Margaret Thatcher
Theresa May
Queen Elizabeth II

He was known for his being a leader of the pop art movement…

78%

Retry Correct Incorrect Andy Warhol helped create a bridge between popular culture and various artistic movements. He was an artist, director, and producer. Warhol was openly gay before the gay liberation movement.

Jack Mitchell/Getty Images

He was known for his being a leader of the pop art movement…

Andy Warhol
Roy Lichtenstein
James Gill
Jasper Johns

Who’s this children’s book author?

80%

Retry Correct Incorrect Over his career, Theodore Seuss Geisel wrote over 60 books under the pen name Dr. Seuss. He has sold over 60 million copies of his books which have been translated into over 20 languages.

James L. Amos/Corbis via Getty Images

Who’s this children’s book author?

Maurice Sendak
Roald Dahl
Eric Carle
Dr. Seuss

This man is considered to be a World War II hero…

83%

Retry Correct Incorrect Churchill was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom during World War II. He is partially credited with steering Britain to victory and known for his leadership and diplomatic abilities.

Evening Standard/Getty Images

This man is considered to be a World War II hero…

Oskar Schindler
Charles Coward
Winston Churchill
Angel Sanz Briz

His real name is Christopher Wallace…

85%

Retry Correct Incorrect East Coast Rapper Biggie Smalls, aka The Notorious B.I.G., is credited as one of the top 10 rappers of all time. He became mixed up in the East Coast-West Coast hip-hop feud and was assassinated in 1997 during a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles.

Chris Walter/WireImage

His real name is Christopher Wallace…

DMX
LL Cool J
Biggie Smalls
Master P

Who is this comedic actor?

88%

Retry Correct Incorrect Candy was a Canadian actor and comedian who worked on films such as Stripes, Cool Runnings, Spaceballs, and more. Unfortunately, he died of a heart attack on the set of a film in 1994.

Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage

Who is this comedic actor?

Dan Aykroyd
Billy Crystal
George Carlin
John Candy

He was a member of the Beatles…

90%

Retry Correct Incorrect Ringo Starr was the drummer and a songwriter for the Beatles. After the band broke up, he went on to have a successful solo career and still tours today.

Michael Putland/Getty Images

He was a member of the Beatles…

John Lennon
Paul McCartney
George Harrison
Ringo Starr

He made history in the supreme court…

93%

Retry Correct Incorrect Thurgood Marshall started out as a lawyer and eventually became the Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. He was the first African-American to hold the position.

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He made history in the supreme court…

Thurgood Marshall
W.E.B. DuBois
Hiram R. Revels
Frederick Douglass

Known as “The King of Soul”…

95%

Retry Correct Incorrect Sam Cooke launched his solo career and came out with hits such as “Chain Gang,” Wonderful Way,” and “Twistin the Night of Way.” He had a major impact on soul music and is still influences musicians today.

Sam Cooke
Nat King Cole
Al Green
James Brown

Who is this famous director?

98%

Retry Correct Incorrect Most of Kubrick’s films are book adaptations, which he usually twists into his own style of dark comedy and over-the-top cinematography. Some of his most famous films include The Shining, and A Clockwork Orange.

Alfred Hitchcock
Quentin Tarantino
Martin Scorsese
Stanley Kubrick

Congrats, you finished! Here are your results:

100%

Congrats, you finished! Here are your results:

Retry Not good. Were you aware there was an entire century before this one? Just okay. Clearly, you didn’t learn much in school about the last century. Pretty good. That’s pretty impressive! Great job! Wow! Did you live through it all or something?

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