4th of July Trivia Quiz – Answers

1. Who designed the National Mall in Washington, D.C.? 

A. Pierre L’Enfant
B. George Washington
C. Thomas Jefferson
D. John Adams

Pierre L’Enfant
(1754 – 1825)

Answer: The Mall was originally envisioned by its designer, Pierre L’Enfant, as the foremost boulevard of the city, the so-called “Grand Avenue”.

 

2. Who was the first signer of the Declaration of Independence, and why is his signature so large?

A. George Washington
B. Patrick Henry
C. John Hancock
D. Thomas Jefferson
E. John Adams

Answer: John Hancock was the first person to sign the Declaration of Independence. Legend has it that he made his name large and clear to make sure that King George III of England could read it without his spectacles!

 

James Montgomery Flagg created “the most famous poster in the world.“

3. What famous character with a stars-and-stripes top hat has become a symbol of America?

A. Cat in The Hat
B. Uncle Sam
C. Captain America
D. Big Bird

Answer: Uncle Sam. The character was popularized during the War of 1812, when someone saw the initials “U.S.” on an army supply container and suggested that the shipments came from “Uncle Sam.”

 

4. On July 4th of what year did the 50-star American flag wave for the first time as Hawaii was granted statehood?

A. 1955
B. 1960
C. 1965
D. 1970

ANSWER: 1960

 

5. Which of our Founding Fathers created the blueprint for our Fourth of July celebrations by suggesting that the day be celebrated with “bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other” by succeeding generations of Americans?

A. George Washington
B. John Adams
C. Thomas Jefferson
D. John Hancock
E. Benjamin Franklin

ANSWER: John Adams

 

Fireworks in Washington DC
Photo © Capitol Concerts

6. What notable event occurred on July 4, 1848? 

 

A. Boston’s first fireworks display
B. The State of New York emancipates its slaves
C. Construction begins on the Washington Monument
D. Centennial celebrations are held in the United States
E. The first public Fourth of July reception at the White House

ANSWER: In Washington, D.C., in 1848, the laying of the cornerstone of the Washington Monument takes place with President James Madison, First Lady Dolly Madison and other VIPs in attendance.

 

7. About how many people were living in the colonies in July 1776?

A. 1.5 million
B. 22 million
C. 2 million
D. 2.5 million
E. 12 million

Answer: About 2.5 million people populated the 13 colonies when America declared its independence. Today, the U.S. population is estimated to be over 310.5 million.

 

Destiny? President Calvin Coolidge was born on 4th of July.

8. Only one president, Calvin Coolidge, was born on the Fourth of July. Three presidents died on that date. Who were they?

A. George Washington,Chester Arthur and James Monroe
B. Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson and Richard M. Nixon
C. Zachary Taylor, Ulysses Grant and Warren Harding
D. John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe
E. Harry Truman, Franklin Pierce and John Tyler

Answer: Presidents John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe all died on the Fourth.

 

9. What American president said, “We dare not forget that we are the heirs of that first revolution?”

A. George Washington
B. John F. Kennedy
C. Abraham Lincoln
D. Dwight Eisenhower
E. Franklin Roosevelt

Answer: President John F. Kennedy.

 

10. On July 4, 1976, Americans all over the country celebrated our nation’s 200th birthday. How many tons of fireworks were exploded in a magnificent display above the Washington Monument in Washington, DC?

A. 5
B. 24
C. 33

Answer: 33 tons of fireworks were exploded above the Washington Monument, along with laser beams that spelled out “1776-1976, Happy Birthday, USA”.

 

11. Which of John Philip Sousa’s compositions was designated the National March of the United States in 1987?

A. “The Liberty Bell”
B. “US Field Artillery”
C. “The Stars and Stripes Forever”
D. “The Washington Post March”

An act of Congress designated “The Stars and Stripes Forever” the National March of the United States.

 

12. When Francis Scott Key wrote “The Star-Spangled Banner” in 1814, it immediately became popular with the public. When was it adopted as our national anthem?

A. 1798
B. 1812
C. 1954
D. 1865
E. 1931

Answer: “The Star-Spangled Banner” was named our national anthem on March 3, 1931, through an Act of Congress.

 

13. What song has special significance to legend Barry Manilow on the Fourth of July?

A.  “Let Freedom Ring”
B. “Yankee Doodle Dandy”
C. “I Write The Songs”
D. “America The Beautiful”
E. “Mandy”

Answer: Barry Manilow sang his composition “Let Freedom Ring” on the 2009 A Capitol Fourth.  He said he always dreamed of singing the song at the U.S. Capitol.

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Celebrate Old Glory with Proper Flag Etiquette

‘Mending the Flag illustration by Norman Rockwell

June 14 is Flag Day in the United States of America.

Properly Display United States of America’s Flag

Care and handling of the American flag is steeped in tradition and respect. There is a right way and a wrong way to display the flag. This is called Flag Etiquette. The American flag should be held in the highest of regards. It represents our nation and the many people who gave their lives for our country and our flag. Here are the basics on displaying  the American flag:

 

• The flag is normally flown from sunrise to sunset.
• In the morning, raise the flag briskly. At sunset, lower it slowly. Always, raise and lower it ceremoniously.
• The flag should not be flown at night without a light on it.
• The flag should not be flown in the rain or inclement weather.
• After a tragedy or death, the flag is flown at half staff for 30 days. It’s  called “half staff” on land ,and “half mast” on a ship.
• When flown vertically on a pole, the stars and blue field , or “union”, is at the top and at the end of the pole (away from your house).
• The American flag is always flown at the top of the pole. Your state flag and other flags fly below it.
• The union is always on top. When displayed in print, the stars and blue field are always on the left.
• Never let your flag touch the ground, never…period.
• Fold your flag when storing. Don’t just stuff it in a drawer or box.
•  When your flag is old and has seen  better days, it is time to retire it. Old flags should be burned or buried. Please do not throw it in the trash.

Did you Know? There is a very special ceremony for retiring the flag by burning it. It is a ceremony everyone should see.Your local Boy Scout group knows the proper ceremony and performs it on a regular basis. If you have an old flag, give it to them. And, attend the ceremony.