Presidential Sobriquets
This "Sage of Monticello" is credited with inventing the swivel chair.
Who is Jefferson?
In 1779, reformed slave trader John Newton wrote this spiritual hymn. It's still performed millions of times annually.
What is Amazing Grace?
This duelist lamented, "Had I read Sterne more and Voltaire less, I should have known the world was wide enough for Hamilton and me."
Who is Burr?
"Common Sense" should tell you the name of this revolutionary pamphleteer active during the "American Crisis."
Who is Paine?
A sea route between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans runs through this ocean.
What is the Arctic?
Also knows as the "Red Fox of Kinderhook," he was more gray than red when he retired to his home in western New York.
Who is Van Buren?
Upon witnessing the the American flag flying over Fort McHenry after an 1814 British bombardment, he penned "The Star-Spangled Banner."
Who is Key?
A thirteenth-century English charter, commonly known by this Latin name, was used centuries later to challenge the divine right of kings.
What is the Magna Carta?
In Song of Myself, this once polarizing American poet contained multitudes.
Who is Whitman?
Henry Hudson was last seen in a rowboat in this Canadian bay after mutineers abandoned him and his son.
What is the Hudson?
Standing a diminutive 5'4", he was dubbed, "Little Jemmy."
Who is Madison?
Borrowing its melody from "God Save the Queen," this patriotic song was once the national anthem.
What is America (my country 'tis of thee)?
Thomas Jefferson's "unalienable rights" mirrored this philosopher's "natural rights" with the notable omission of the right to property, which would have justified slavery.
Who is Locke?
Reading from this 1713 drama, Gen. Washington said to his troops at Valley Forge, "What pity is it that we can die but once to serve our country.”
What is Cato?
The Mohicans called this body of water the Muheconnetuk for "flows both ways."
What is the Hudson River?
He was called "The American Cincinnatus" after the Roman general who voluntarily relinquished absolute power.
Who is Washington?
The fruit mentioned in this gospel folk song is used as a water dipper and is code name for the Big Dipper constellation.
What is Follow the Drinking Gourd?
This popular word comes from the Greek dêmos (common people) and krátos (force or might.)
What is democracy?
This 1678 Protestant classic was once the most widely-read book in North America after the Bible
What is The Pilgrim's Progress?
In 1609, Henry Hudson sailed a ship by this name to modern-day Troy, NY before turning back and abandoning hope of finding a route to Asia.
What is the Half Moon/ Halve Moen?
Known as "His Accidency," he was the first president to hold office without having been elected.
Who is Tyler?
Stephen Foster's wishes expressed in this popular American parlor song were dashed with the outbreak of the Civil War.
What is Hard Times (come again no more)?
This French philosopher's argument for an independent judiciary was crucial in the formation of America's third branch of government.
Who is Montesquieu?
The trio of authors behind The Federalist Papers signed their work with this pseudonym in their defense of the new US Constitution.
What is Publius?
King Charles I forbade Henry Hudson from flying under a non-English flag after the explorer claimed this valuable New World island for the Dutch.
What is Manhattan?