Q 01/05

In which year was the Library of Congress founded?

A) 1826

B) 1800

C) 1846

D) 1815

Answer · why

B) 1800

It is the oldest federal cultural institution in the United States.

Q 02/05

Which president signed the act of Congress that established the library on 24 April of its founding year?

A) John Adams

B) James Madison

C) Thomas Jefferson

D) George Washington

Answer · why

A) John Adams

It appropriated $5,000 for books and 'a suitable apartment for containing them'.

Q 03/05

How many books made up the library's first collection, ordered from London?

A) 500

B) 740

C) 250

D) 74

Answer · why

B) 740

There were also three maps, all housed in the new Capitol.

Q 04/05

Which Founding Father first proposed a congressional library in 1783 but failed to win support?

A) Benjamin Franklin

B) Alexander Hamilton

C) John Jay

D) James Madison

Answer · why

D) James Madison

The library's third building, opened in 1980, is now his official memorial.

Q 05/05

Who destroyed much of the original collection in August 1814?

A) A careless janitor with a candle

B) Confederate raiders

C) A lightning strike

D) British forces burning Washington

Answer · why

D) British forces burning Washington

More than 3,000 volumes in the Senate wing of the Capitol were lost.