Trivia of the Day for August 22, 2026: Only a Trivia Expert Can Go 25 for 25

It’s officially the weekend! As you get ready to partake in some fun activities or embark on a laidback Saturday of relaxation, we’re sure you’re still looking for a way to exercise your brain. Starting each day with some trivia is a great way to get your mind working to take on any task that comes your way. Whether you’re spending your Saturday swimming at the beach or at home reading on the couch, take a few minutes to test your knowledge of this day in history—plus other general knowledge topics.

August 22 is a significant day in history, making the birth dates of cultural figures such as author Ray Bradbury and photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson, as well as the anniversaries of important events like the Battle of Bosworth Field, the final battle in the War of the Roses.

Think you’re a trivia expert? Put those skills to the test with these 25 questions for Mental Floss’s latest entry in our Trivia of the Day.

August 22 Questions

How well do you know this day in history? Test your knowledge and learn something new with these 10 questions about August 22. The answers are found right below for easy access; no Googling necessary!

1. Which English king was killed at the Battle of Bosworth Field on August 22, 1485?

Answer: Richard III.

2. On August 22, 1776, British troops landed on which New York island ahead of a major Revolutionary War battle?

Answer: Long Island.

3. Which famous sailing trophy traces its history to a race won by the schooner America on August 22, 1851?

Answer: The America’s Cup.

4. Which Irish revolutionary leader was assassinated in an ambush on August 22, 1922?

Answer: Michael Collins.

5. Which Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Shipping News and “Brokeback Mountain” was born on August 22, 1935?

Answer: Annie Proulx.

6. Which French president survived an assassination attempt on August 22, 1962?

Charles de Gaulle.

7. Which nuclear-powered merchant ship arrived in Savannah, Georgia, on August 22, 1962, during its maiden voyage?

Answer: The NS Savannah.

8. Which 1975 Al Pacino movie was inspired by a real Brooklyn bank robbery that began on August 22, 1972?

Answer: Dog Day Afternoon.

9. Which science fiction author of Fahrenheit 451 was born on August 22, 1920?

Answer: Ray Bradbury.

10. Which Black Panther Party co-founder was shot and killed in Oakland, California, on August 22, 1989?

Answer: Huey P. Newton.

General August Questions

Were you able to get all 10 correct? If so, we’re impressed! You’re a real history pro. If those questions were too difficult, how about you try the next set of 10 which focus on August in general?

11. August 9 is observed internationally as a day recognizing what groups of people around the world?

Answer: Indigenous peoples (the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples).

12. August 12 is also a worldwide awareness day for which enormous land animal?

Answer: Elephant (World Elephant Day).

13. On August 2, 1990, Iraq invaded which neighboring country?

Answer: Kuwait.

14. On August 3, 1923, Calvin Coolidge became U.S. president following the death of which president?

Answer: Warren G. Harding.

15. Which future U.S. president was born in Hawaii on August 4, 1961?

Answer: Barack Obama.

16. Which landmark U.S. law to eliminate racial discrimination in voting was signed on August 6, 1965?

Answer: The Voting Rights Act.

17. Which Japanese city was devastated by an atomic bomb on August 6, 1945?

Answer: Hiroshima.

18. George Washington created what military decoration on August 7, 1782, an award that eventually evolved into today's Purple Heart?

Answer: The Badge of Military Merit.

19. Which Caribbean nation gained independence from Britain on August 6, 1962?

Answer: Jamaica.

20. Which famous prison island received its first federal prisoners on August 11, 1934?

Answer: Alcatraz.

General Knowledge Questions

Finally, our last five questions will test your general knowledge. From geography and mythology to ecology and sports, finish out today’s trivia with this quick list.

21. Which country is shaped like a boot?

Answer: Italy.

22. Which Greek goddess was associated with wisdom and warfare?

Answer: Athena.

23. What type of tree produces acorns?

Answer: Oak trees.

24. How many rings are on the Olympic symbol?

Answer: Five.

25. Which country is home to the historic city of Dubrovnik?

Answer: Croatia.

Were you able to get all 25 correct? With questions ranging from “this day in history” to general history, geography, and more, you’re definitely a trivia pro if you knew all of these! If you want to keep challenging your brain, check out the Mental Floss quiz page. We deliver new quizzes daily, covering topics like entertainment, literature, geography, and others. And be sure to visit the site again on Sunday for the August 23 Trivia of the Day.