Baby, You're a Firework
Who declared the thirteen colonies were no longer part of the British Empire?
A) Continental Congress
B) Conventional Congress
C) Constitutional Congress
Continental Congress
The Continental Congress declared that the thirteen American colonies regarded themselves as a new nation: the United States of America.
Which document does the Fourth of July commemorate?
A) Bill of Rights
B) Emancipation Proclamation
C) Declaration of Independence
Declaration of Independence
The Fourth of July is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.
Who was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence?
A) John Adams
B) Benjamin Franklin
C) Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson
The Declaration of Independence was prepared by a Committee of Five, with Thomas Jefferson as its principal author.
How many founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence
A) 56
B) 13
C) 27
56
The Declaration of Independence was signed by 56 men from 13 colonies.
What accounts for the most firework-related injuries every Fourth of July?
A) Roman Candles & Bottle Rockets
B) Bottle Rockets & Sparklers
C) Sparklers & Firecrackers
Sparklers & Firecrackers
Though sparklers and firecrackers seem innocent enough, they account for almost 40 percent of all fireworks related accidents.
Which statesman proposed the resolution of independence from Great Britain?
A) Richard Henry Lee
B) Samuel Huntington
C) Peyton Randolph
Richard Henry Lee
The Second Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of independence that had been proposed in June by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia declaring the United States independent from Great Britain rule.
How many hot dogs are consumed each Fourth of July?
A) 150 million
B) 50 million
C) 100 million
150 million
According to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council, approximately 150 million hot dogs are consumed each Independence Day. That's enough dogs to stretch from Washington D.C. to Los Angeles more than five times!
In 1778, how did George Washington commemorate the Fourth of July?
A) A double ration of spirits
B) A day of fasting and prayer
C) He got married
A double ration of spirits
In 1778, from his headquarters at Ross Hall, near New Brunswick, New Jersey, General George Washington marked July 4 with a double ration of rum for his soldiers.
Which U.S. President was born on the Fourth of July?
A) Thomas Jefferson
B) Teddy Roosevelt
C) Calvin Coolidge
Calvin Coolidge
Calvin Coolidge, the 30th President, was born on July 4, 1872.
Where is the nation's oldest Fourth of July parade?
A) Thomaston, Maine
B) Boston, Massachusetts
C) Bristol, Rhode Island
Bristol, Rhode Island
The annual Fourth of July Parade in Bristol, Rhode Island was established in 1785 by Rev. Henry Wight of the First Congregational Church and veteran of the Revolutionary War.
On what day did Congress vote for American independence?
A) July 4th
B) July 3rd
C) July 2nd
July 2nd
Although the Continental Congress declared independence on July 4, they actually voted to declare independence two days earlier, on July 2, 1776. John Adams would later write to his wife: "The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America.... It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more."
What was the first state to declare the 4th of July an official holiday?
A) Massachusetts
B) Virginia
C) Maryland
Massachusetts
On July 4, 1781, the Massachusetts General Court became the first state legislature to recognize July 4 as an official state celebration.
Who wrote the lyrics to, "The Star-Spangled Banner?"
A) Ralph Waldo Emerson
B) Francis Scott Key
C) Walt Whitman
Francis Scott Key
The lyrics were written on September 14, 1814, by amateur poet Francis Scott Key after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry by British ships of the Royal Navy in Baltimore Harbor during the Battle of Baltimore in the War of 1812. Key was inspired by the large American flag flying triumphantly above the fort during the American victory.
What day was the Fourth of July celebrated in 1779?
A) July 3rd
B) July 5th
C) July 2nd
July 5th
In 1779, the 4th of July fell on a Sunday, so the celebrations were held on Monday, July 5.
What year did the Fourth of July become a paid federal holiday?
A) 1870
B) 1938
C) 1902
1938
On July 4, 1938, the United States Congress changed Independence Day to a paid federal holiday. It had previously been established as an unpaid federal holiday in 1870.
Which newspaper first printed the Declaration of Independence?
A) Columbian Mirror
B) Pennsylvania Evening Post
C) Boston Chronicle
Pennsylvania Evening Post
On July 6, 1776, The Pennsylvania Evening Post, which was published every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, carried the Declaration on the front page.
What year were the fireworks used in an official Fourth of July celebration?
A) 1922
B) 1777
C) 1812
1777
Congress authorized using fireworks in 1777 to help mark the first anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The celebration, which took place in Philadelphia, also included bonfires and bells.
Which U.S. President first held a Fourth of July celebration at the White House?
A) Thomas Jefferson
B) George Washington
C) James Madison
Thomas Jefferson
Although John Adams was the first president to occupy the executive mansion, it was Thomas Jefferson who established the traditions of a July 4th celebration at the White House. On July 4, 1801, he opened the Executive Mansion to diplomats, civil and military officers and Cherokee chiefs.
Which U.S. President signed the bill that made, "The Star-Spangled Banner," the national anthem?
A) Abraham Lincoln
B) Andrew Jackson
C) Herbert Hoover
Herbert Hoover
"The Star-Spangled Banner," was made the national anthem by a congressional resolution on March 3, 1931 and signed by President Herbert Hoover.
What happened on July 4th, 1960?
A) Philippines declared independence from America
B) Cuban missile crisis
C) 50th star added to American flag
50th star added to American flag
A 50th star was added to the American flag to represent the new state of Hawaii.
One the original American flag, what shape were the thirteen stars arrange in?
A) Circle
B) Square
C) Triangle
Circle
The stars on the original flag were in a circle so all the Colonies would appear equal.
Which two U.S. Presidents died on July 4th in the same year?
A) Abraham Lincoln & John F. Kennedy
B) John Adams & Thomas Jefferson
C) George Washington & John Adams
John Adams & Thomas Jefferson
Both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the only signers of the Declaration of Independence to later serve as Presidents of the United States, died on the same day: July 4, 1826, which was the 50th anniversary of the Declaration.
Who was the only signer of the Declaration of Independence who later recanted his support for the document?
A) Josiah Bartlett
B) John Witherspoon
C) Richard Stockton
Richard Stockton
On November 30, 1776, Richard Stockton, a lawyer from Princeton, was captured by the British and thrown in jail. After months of harsh treatment and meager rations, Stockton repudiated his signature on the Declaration of Independence and swore his allegiance to King George III.
Who was not on the, "Committee of Five," that drafted the Declaration of Independence?
A) Alexander Hamilton
B) Benjamin Franklin
C) John Adams
Alexander Hamilton
On June 11, 1776, Congress appointed a "Committee of Five", consisting of John Adams of Massachusetts, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, Robert R. Livingston of New York, and Roger Sherman of Connecticut, to draft the declaration.
Which institution first opened its doors on July 4, 1802?
A) New York Times
B) West Point - Military Academy
C) Internal Revenue Service
West Point - Military Academy
The United States Military Academy, also known as West Point, officially commenced operations on 4 July 1802.