Test Your Knowledge of
Our Nation’s Birthday
The Fourth of July makes all of us feel a bit more patriotic. This Independence Day, we decided to test your knowledge of this most American celebration.
#1. In what year was Independence Day first proclaimed a national holiday?
A. 1814
B. 1776
C. 1938
D. 1870
#2. What do the colors of the American flag symbolize?
A. Red: revolution, White: stability, Blue: integrity
B. America’s British roots, since they’re the same colors as the Union Jack.
C. Red: hardiness, White: purity, Blue: perseverance
D. Red: compassion, White: peace and unity, Blue: remembrance
#3. Which city held the first Independence Day celebration with a fireworks display?
A. Washington, DC
B. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
C. Boston, Massachusetts
D. Both B and C
#4. The small harbor town of Seward, Alaska, has an unusual way of celebrating July 4th. What is it?
A. They stage lobster races.
B. They host a lumberjack competition.
C. They race to the top of a local mountain.
D. They pelt each other with marshmallows.
#5. Which U.S. president was the only one born on the Fourth of July?
A. James Monroe
B. Calvin Coolidge
C. John Adams
D. Thomas Jefferson
ANSWERS
#1. Answer: D.
On June 28, 1870, Congress proclaimed July Fourth as a national holiday. 1814 was the year Francis Scott Key wrote the Star Spangled Banner, and 1938 was when Congress established Independence Day as a paid holiday for federal employees.
#2. Answer: C.
According to the Secretary of the 1782 Continental Congress, “White signifies purity and innocence. Red, hardiness & valour, and Blue… signifies vigilance, perseverance & justice.” But if you chose B, you get partial credit. At least one noted flag expert with the American Legion believes that these colors were simply taken from the flag of the mother country. (Okay, it was a trick question.)
#3. Answer: D.
Both Philly and Boston held the first Fourth of July celebrations with fireworks one year after the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1777. Washington, DC, began celebrating with fireworks in 1790, the year that city become the nation’s capital.
#4. Answer: C.
The tradition of running to the top of Seward’s Mount Marathon began about 100 years ago as a competition between sailors. Nowadays, 1000 race entrants vie for the prize of a trophy, bragging rights and free entry to future Mount Marathon Races. Lobster races are held in Bar Harbor, Maine, each year as a fundraiser for the local YMCA. The annual July 4th lumberjack competition takes place in Ketchikan, Alaska – which is not as close to Seward as you may think. In fact, its 1,241 miles south, a 36-hour drive. For three decades, Marshmallow Wars were a July 4th tradition in Ocean Beach, California. But the sticky battles began to get out of hand, leaving a gooey mess for beach clean-up the next day. Town officials banned the wars in 2013.
#5. Answer: B.
Calvin Coolidge was our only chief executive who was born on July 4. However, Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe and John Adam all DIED on Independence Day. In fact, Jefferson and Adams died within hours of each other on July 4, 1826. They were the last original signers of the Declaration of Independence, and that date was the 50th anniversary of the signing.
Sources:
Featured Image: Adobe, License Granted
OB Rag
History.com
PBS