Hamilton Quiz

Hamilton is an American musical with music, lyrics, and book by Lin-Manuel Miranda, inspired by Ron Chernow's 2004 biography "Alexander Hamilton." It premiered Off-Broadway at the Public Theater on February 17, 2015, before transferring to Broadway's Richard Rodgers Theatre on August 6, 2015. Hamilton tells the story of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton through hip-hop, R&B, pop, jazz, and Broadway musical styles - With a racially diverse cast portraying historical figures including George Washington, Aaron Burr, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and the Schuyler Sisters. The musical became a cultural phenomenon - Virtually impossible to get tickets to, and a critical and commercial sensation.

Hamilton's Story and Characters

Alexander Hamilton (1755 or 1757 - 1804) was an orphan from the Caribbean island of Nevis (born illegitimately in Charlestown), who came to New York, rose to become General Washington's aide-de-camp during the Revolutionary War, became the first Secretary of the Treasury, and played an enormous role in creating the American financial and political systems. The musical's central conflict is Hamilton's rivalry with Aaron Burr - Who ultimately kills Hamilton in a duel on July 11, 1804, in Weehawken, New Jersey. The musical is also notable for the story of Hamilton's wife Eliza Schuyler, who survived Hamilton by 50 years and dedicated her life to preserving his legacy.

Hamilton won 11 Tony Awards (out of 16 nominations), including Best Musical, and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2016. The original cast recording debuted at #12 on the Billboard 200 - The highest debut ever for a cast recording at that time. Lin-Manuel Miranda, who played Hamilton in the original cast, had previously written In the Heights. The musical features songs that have become cultural touchstones: "My Shot" (Hamilton's ambition anthem), "The Room Where It Happens" (Burr's desire for political power), "Satisfied" (Angelica Schuyler's complex feelings), and "Wait for It" (Burr's philosophical counterpoint to Hamilton). Disney+ released a filmed version of the original cast performance in July 2020. Test your knowledge - Also try our history quiz and our American history quiz.