Think you know American History? Try these 10 questions that every American schoolchild would know.....
1. Who was the first President of the United States?
George Washington
Benjamin Franklin
Abraham Lincoln
John Adams
2. Who's famous quote is, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal"?
George Washington
Abraham Lincoln
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Thomas Jefferson
3. Where was the first national capitol located?
Pennsylvania
Washington, D.C.
New York
Massachusetts
4. How did the Liberty Bell get its crack?
Lightning
It was dropped
It was made that way
Cracked when first rung
5. Who was commissioned to make the first United States flag?
Betty Crocker
Eleanor Roosevelt
Betsy Ross
Martha Washington
6. In what year was the Declaration of Independence signed?
1756 1776 1492 1746
7. How many stars were on the first United States flag?
seven
five
thirteen
fifty
8. Who shot Abraham Lincoln?
William Tell
John Wilkes Booth
Lee Harvey Oswald
George Washington
9. Who was the first person to sign the Declaration of Independence?
John Adams
Thomas Jefferson
George Washington
John Hancock
10. Who wrote the Star Spangled Banner?
Francis Scott Key
Jean Lafitte
George Washington
Sir Walter Raleigh
Now that you've proven how wise you are, check out this concise history of the
4th of July
Short Form of American History
Independence Day, in the U.S., an annual holiday commemorating the formal adoption by the Continental Congress of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia. Although the signing of the Declaration was not completed until August, the Fourth of July holiday has been accepted as the official anniversary of United States independence and is celebrated in all states and territories of the U.S.
At the time of the signing the United States consisted of 13 colonies under the rule of England's King George III. There was a growing unrest in the colonies concerning the taxes that had to be paid to England. This was commonly refered to as "Taxation without Representation" as the colonists did not have any representation in the English Parliament and had no say in what went on. As the unrest grew in the colonies, King George sent extra troops to help control any rebellion. In 1774 the 13 colonies sent delegates to Philadelphia Pennsylvania to form the First Continental Congress. The delegates were unhappy with England, but were not yet ready to declare war.
In April 1775 as the King's troops advanced on Concord Massachusetts, the battle of Concord would mark the unofficial beginning of the colonies war for Independence.
June 1776 a committee was formed to compose a formal declaration of independence. Headed by Thomas Jefferson, the committee included John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Philip Livingston and Roger Sherman. Thomas Jefferson was chosen to write the first draft which was presented to the congress on June 28. A vote was taken late in the afternoon of July 4th. Of the 13 colonies, 9 voted in favor of the Declaration, 2 - Pennsylvania and South Carolina voted No, Delaware was undecided and New York abstained. To make it official John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress, signed the Declaration of Independence.
On July 8th the Declaration had it's first public reading in Philadelphia's Independence Square. Twice that day the Declaration was read to cheering crowds and pealing church bells. Even the bell in Independence Hall was rung. The "Province Bell" which would later be renamed "Liberty Bell" after it's inscription - "Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land Unto All the Inhabitants Thereof."
The holiday was first observed in Philadelphia on July 8, 1776, at which time the Declaration of Independence was read aloud, city bells rang, and bands played.People celebrated with fireworks and with candles which they lit and placed in their windows. The first Independence Day celebration took place the following year - July 4 1777. By the early 1800s the traditions of parades, picnics, and fireworks were established as the way to celebrate America's birthday. It was declared a legal holiday in 1941.
The Fourth of July is traditionally celebrated publicly with parades and pageants, patriotic speeches, and organized firing of guns and cannons and displays of fireworks. Early in the 20th century public concern for a safe holiday resulted in restrictions on general use of fireworks. Although fireworks have been banned in most places because of their danger, most towns and cities usually have large firework displays for all to see and enjoy. Family picnics and outings are a feature of private Fourth of July celebrations.Today, the most popular way to celebrate Independence day is to get together with family and friends, have a cook out and attend a fireworks display!
Now, based on this short passage, answer the following questions....
American History Questions
1) How is the 4th of July traditionally celebrated?
2) Where and when was the Declaration of Independence first read in public?
3) Who was the King of England at the time of the American Revolution?
4) Where was the First Continental Congress held?
5) What two states voted NOT to adopt the declaration of Independence?
6) What battle marked the beginning of the Revolutionary War?
7) When was Independence Day declared a legal holiday?
8) Why were private fireworks made illegal?
9) What was the original name of the "Liberty Bell"?
10) When did the Continental Congress approve the Declaration of Independence?