Q 01/05

What is the capital of South Carolina?

A) Columbia

B) Charleston

C) Greenville

D) Spartanburg

Answer · why

A) Columbia

It was laid out in 1786 as one of America's first planned capitals, taking over from Charleston, which remains the most populous city.

Q 02/05

South Carolina is named in honour of which English king?

A) James I

B) Charles II

C) George II

D) Charles I

Answer · why

D) Charles I

Carolina comes from Carolus, Latin for Charles. Charleston, confusingly, was named for his son Charles II.

Q 03/05

South Carolina was which number state to ratify the US Constitution, on May 23, 1788?

A) Thirteenth

B) First

C) Eighth

D) Fourth

Answer · why

C) Eighth

Seventy-two years later it became the first state to vote to leave the Union.

Q 04/05

What distinction does South Carolina hold in the run-up to the Civil War?

A) Last state to join the Confederacy

B) First state to vote to secede

C) Only Southern state to stay in the Union

D) First state to abolish slavery

Answer · why

B) First state to vote to secede

The secession vote came in December 1860. It was readmitted to the Union on July 9, 1868.

Q 05/05

Which Charleston Harbor stronghold was shelled by Confederate batteries on April 12, 1861, opening the Civil War?

A) Fort Sumter

B) Fort Moultrie

C) Fort Johnson

D) Castle Pinckney

Answer · why

A) Fort Sumter

Nobody died in the 34-hour bombardment. One Union soldier was killed afterwards when a cannon misfired during the surrender salute.