About This Quiz
We learn the states and their capitals in school. However, over time they fade, and we're left with distant memories. Most of us can only name the capitals of the most famous states, the capital of our home state, and maybe a few surrounding states. How many times have you thought Portland was the capital of Oregon? It's not!
It's time to brush up on your state capitals. Not every state's largest city is its capital. Many states do not even have their most populous city or the most well-known city as the state capital. Otherwise, New York City would be the capital of New York and Los Angeles would be the capital of California.
While the capital city may not seem like the most interesting city in a state, each one has its own unique character. Even the smallest capital in the union, Montpelier, has a thriving downtown and holds historical tours to educate visitors about the city's historical importance.
After this quiz, you may have a few ideas for a huge cross-country road trip, but first, you must take the quiz. Will you be able to get 100 percent of these capitals correct or will you make your social studies teach want to cry? Test yourself to prove you still have it!
George Washington was heading to Trenton when he crossed the Delaware River. Some historical landmarks still standing are The Trent House, the Battle Monument and the Old Barracks Museum.
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Springfield was originally named after Vice President John C. Calhoun. In 1832, the name was changed to Springfield because of nearby Spring Creek.
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Before Hawaii's current State Capitol was built, Iolani Palace was the state's legislative seat. The building was completed in 1882 and now serves as a museum.
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Maine's state capital was originally named Harrington. In 1797, the city was renamed Augusta. The name comes from Pamela Augusta, who was Revolutionary War General Henry Dearborn's daughter.
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Carson City was named after Kit Carson. Carson was a frontiersman and trapper, and contributed to the United States' westward expansion.
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Columbus, Ohio is named after Christopher Columbus. During the American Civil War, Camp Chase held Confederate prisoners of war. It was the largest such facility in the North.
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Annapolis was originally called Providence. When the Puritans came over, they renamed the capital to honor Princess Anne, who would become a queen of England.
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Austin bills itself as the "Live music capital of the world." The city has more than 250 places to see live music of all styles.
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Harrisburg is the location where John Harris received a license to trade with the Susquehannock in 1705. At the time, it was known as Harris' Ferry.
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Madison is the second largest city in Wisconsin. It is also the 81st largest city in the United States.
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Montpelier is the smallest state capital in the United States. The city is home to less than 8,000 people.
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In 1847, Mormons arrived in Salt Lake Valley. Before that time, the Ute Indians called the valley and nearby mountain rage home. The Ute Indians called the area "low place in high mountains."
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The first North American Christmas celebration took place in Tallahassee when it was still called Anhaica. Anhaica was also the base for the Apalachee tribe.
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Rhode Island was the first state to declare independence from England. The state's militia sank an English ship called The Gaspee.
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Salem's population is more than 160,000 people. The city is approximately 47 miles away from Portland, the state's largest city.
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Charleston did not become the permanent capital of West Virginia until 1885. The state capital was originally in Wheeling, moved to Charleston, moved back to Wheeling, and finally settled in Charleston.
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Nashville is nicknamed Music City for a reason. Not only is it home to the Grand Ole Opry, but it is also home to Ryman Auditorium. The Grand Ole Opry radio program still airs live every week on WSM.
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Before settlers arrived, the peninsula now called Olympia was known as "Cheetwoot." It was also home to the Coastal Salish, who used it as a shellfish gathering site.
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Pierre is in the geographic center of South Dakota. It is located on the eastern bank of the Missouri River. The city was originally home to the Arikara and Sioux.
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Boston is home to Fenway Park, which is known for housing the Boston Red Sox and for its distinctive green left field wall. The wall is nicknamed the Green Monster, which the formerly tin wall earned after a green paint job in 1947.
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In 1792, Frankfort was chosen as Kentucky's capital city. At that time, Isaac Shelby was chosen as the first governor of the 15th state.
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With a population of 70,000, Santa Fe is New Mexico's fourth largest city. The city's name is Spanish for Holy Faith.
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In 1847, the Michigan capital was relocated from Detroit to Lansing because it was a more centralized location. The city is named after New Yorker John Lansing, who was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention.
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In the 1580s, Sir Walter Raleigh attempted to establish the first English colony in North America. Over 200 years later, North Carolina's capital would be named after him.
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Adventure seekers will find many things to do in Helena. Not only is the city between Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks, but it also has hiking and fly-fishing.
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Pierre Le Moyne D'Iberville was among the French explorers to discover the area now called Baton Rouge. He called the area Red Stick, which is a name that may have come from large reddened poles the local Native American tribe erected.
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Jefferson City was always intended to be Missouri's capital. However, the city was designated as the capital before any government buildings had been built. Until those buildings were constructed, St. Charles acted as a temporary capital.
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Located on Gastineau Channel, Juneau is 3,255 square miles. The city holds the distinction of being the largest capital city by land area.
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Jackson, Mississippi was originally called LeFleur's Bluff. The name comes from Louis LeFleur, who was a Canadian trader. In 1821, the city's name was changed to Jackson in honor of then Major General Andrew Jackson. Jackson would go on to become the seventh U.S. President.
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In 1808, Concord was designated the capital of New Hampshire. Before the Privy Council in England decided that the city was located within the Province of New Hampshire, Concord was incorporated in Massachusetts as Rumford.
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Boise, Idaho is nicknamed the City of Trees. The name comes from the numerous trees that have been planted around the Boise River.
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Sacramento is located on the former location of Sutter's Fort. John Sutter erected his fort in 1841. Visitors to Sacramento should note that the fort's present-day borders are J Street, 26th Street, L Street and 28th Street.
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Dover, Delaware is named after the English city of the same name. In 1717, the city was planned around a county courthouse and jail that had been previously built.
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Early inhabitants of the Lincoln area were the Oto and Pawnee tribes. In 1850, settlers would arrive hoping to mine the nearby salt flats. Salt mining was found to be unfeasible, and the salt basin is now underwater.
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While mountains surround Denver, the actual city is not in them. There are 32 mountains that are over 13,000 feet, but the city itself is just a mile high.
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