Q 01/05

In what year was the pueblo of Los Angeles founded under Spanish governor Felipe de Neve?

A) 1781

B) 1795

C) 1804

D) 1821

Answer · why

A) 1781

The founding party was 22 adults and 22 children from Sonora, and the city still marks September 4 as its birthday.

Q 02/05

El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles, the city's original name, means Our Lady the Queen of what?

A) The Rivers

B) The Hills

C) The Angels

D) The Sea

Answer · why

C) The Angels

The mouthful was shortened over the years, and the English 'City of Angels' nickname keeps the last word.

Q 03/05

Los Angeles ranks where among US cities by population?

A) First

B) Third

C) Second

D) Fourth

Answer · why

C) Second

It passed the previous number two for the spot in early 1984, and only New York City is larger.

Q 04/05

Which city did Los Angeles overtake in population in early 1984?

A) Philadelphia

B) Chicago

C) Houston

D) Detroit

Answer · why

B) Chicago

The same year the city hosted its second Summer Olympics, so it was a big year for civic bragging.

Q 05/05

What are the indigenous people of the Los Angeles basin before Spanish settlement called?

A) Chumash

B) Ohlone

C) Tongva

D) Cahuilla

Answer · why

C) Tongva

Their territory covered roughly 4,000 square miles, and around 5,000 native people lived in the basin by the 1700s.