Are you a super patriot or, um, historically challenged? Take the quiz to find out.
By Alan Bauer:
Before we dive into Independence Day parades, picnics and barbecues, let’s find out who among us knows his or her Fourth of July trivia. Below we have a few questions (the answers follow). No Googling.
1. Name the five parts of the Declaration of Independence. One point per part.
2. Name the three presidents who died on July 4. Name the years they died. One point per name and per date.
3. Name the year Independence Day became a federal holiday. One point.
4. What bird did Ben Franklin want as our national symbol? One point.
5. Which president was born on July 4? In what year? One point each.
6. Name the first newspaper to print the Declaration of Independence. One point.
Here are the answers:
1. The Preamble, the Statement of Human Rights, Charges Against Human Rights, Charges Against the King and Parliament, and Statement of Separation and Signatures. Note: Variations of the five parts exist. If you came close, or listed a different five that are generally accepted, take the points.
2. John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe. Adams and Jefferson died in 1826. Monroe died in 1831.
3. 1870.
4. The turkey. Everybody should have gotten this. And the Preamble.
5. Calvin Coolidge in 1872.
6. The Pennsylvania Evening Post.
So how did you do?
If you scored between 11 and 16 points, you, sir, or madam, are fit to lead any Independence Day parade anywhere, any time.
Those who tallied 6–10 points should pat themselves on the back. Enjoy the fireworks and hot dogs.
Those who scored 2–5 points get hot dogs. No fireworks for you.
And folks who piled up 0–1 point? Math majors, eh? This never happened.
Happy Independence Day!
