Trivia On Independence Day! MCQ Quiz
Trivia on Independence Day MCQ quiz. Every August fifteenth India gets to celebrate the day it got its independence from the British and became a republic. The same day marks the anniversary of when India and Pakistan broke apart. Do you know some of the activities that take place on this day and what led to India getting its independence? This quiz will help you find out. All the best as you tackle it!
- 1.
July 4, 1776 was the day that:
- A.
The American Revolution started.
- B.
The Continental Congress declared independence from England.
- C.
The Continental Congress approved the wording of the Declaration of Independence.
- D.
The Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence.
Correct Answer
C. The Continental Congress approved the wording of the Declaration of Independence.Explanation
Independence was declared July 2, the signing of the document began in August.Rate this question:
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- 2.
How many original colonies were there?
Correct Answer
13
thirteen
ThirteenExplanation
The correct answer is 13, thirteen, and Thirteen because there were a total of 13 original colonies in the United States. These colonies were established by European settlers in the 17th and 18th centuries and eventually became the first 13 states of the United States of America.Rate this question:
- 3.
The Continental Congress that declared independence was meeting in:
- A.
Boston
- B.
Philadelphia
- C.
New York
- D.
Washington, D.C.
Correct Answer
B. PhiladelphiaExplanation
The Continental Congress that declared independence was meeting in Philadelphia. This city was a central location for the delegates from the thirteen colonies to convene and discuss matters of independence. Philadelphia was also a significant political and cultural hub during that time, making it a suitable choice for such an important event in American history.Rate this question:
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- 4.
Of the following, who did not sign the Declaration of Independence?
- A.
George Washington
- B.
John Adams
- C.
Benjamin Franklin
- D.
Samuel Adams
Correct Answer
A. George WashingtonExplanation
Washington was with the Army.Rate this question:
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- 5.
Who was king of England when the Declaration was signed?
- A.
George II
- B.
George III
- C.
George IV
- D.
George V
Correct Answer
B. George IIIExplanation
George III was the king of England when the Declaration was signed. This can be inferred from the fact that the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776, and George III was the reigning monarch of England from 1760 to 1820. Therefore, it can be concluded that George III was the king of England when the Declaration was signed.Rate this question:
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- 6.
We celebrate Independence Day with fireworks because the Continental Congress did that in 1776.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
Stripes were once added but later removed for Vermont and Kentucky, and some early versions had as few as nine stripes.Rate this question:
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- 7.
While the number of stars in the U.S. flag changes with the number of states, it has always had 13 stripes.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
Two stripes were added but later removed for the 14th and 15th states, and some early flags had as few as nine stripes.Rate this question:
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- 8.
What war was taking place when the words to The Star-Spangled Banner were written?
- A.
The American Revolution
- B.
The War of 1812
- C.
The Civil War
- D.
The Spanish-American War
Correct Answer
B. The War of 1812Explanation
A. No, most military units didn't even fly the "Star-Spangled Banner" during the war. It was mainly for naval ships CORRECT: B: At the siege of Fort McHenry outside Baltimore in 1814 C: Battle Hymn of the Republic was the main Union song D. But even then it wasn't the national anthem; that happened in 1931Rate this question:
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- 9.
The last American president who served in the military in the American Revolution was:
- A.
George Washington
- B.
John Adams
- C.
James Madison
- D.
Andrew Jackson
Correct Answer
D. Andrew JacksonExplanation
A. Washington was the first, but not the last B. Adams was a diplomat, not a soldier, during the war C.Madison was in the Virginia Legislature and the Continental Congress for part of the War. CORRECT: D, Jackson served in the militia as a teen, was captured by the British.Rate this question:
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- 10.
Three presidents died on July 4, but only one was born on July 4. Who was it?
- A.
Thomas Jefferson
- B.
Millard Fillmore
- C.
Calvin Coolidge
- D.
Harry Truman
Correct Answer
C. Calvin CoolidgeExplanation
A Jefferson died on July 4, 1826, but was born on B. Fillmore was, however, the first president born in the 19th century, Jan. 7, 1800. CORRECT: C. Coolidge was born on July 4, 1872. D. Truman was born May 8, 1884Rate this question:
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- 11.
From the Battle of Lexington and Concord to the Battle of Yorktown, how long did the American Revolution last?
- A.
2.5 years
- B.
4 years
- C.
6.5 years
- D.
8 years
Correct Answer
C. 6.5 yearsExplanation
A. Not long enough B. Not long enough CORRECT: April 1775 to October 1781 D. Too longRate this question:
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- 12.
When did the Fourth of July become a federal holiday?
- A.
1789, the year the Constitution was adopted
- B.
1801, by Thomas Jefferson’s executive order
- C.
1861, to have a reason to celebrate during the Civil War
- D.
1870, when Congress got around to it
Correct Answer
D. 1870, when Congress got around to itExplanation
A. No, and the federal government would have had more pressing matters that the first year. B. No, declaring holidays isn't a presidential power, C. No, but the federal government had more pressing matters at that point. CORRECT: D Although it was an unpaid federal holiday until 1938.Rate this question:
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- 13.
About how many people lived in the 13 colonies when independence was declared on July 4, 1776?
- A.
1.5 million
- B.
2.5 million
- C.
3.5 million
- D.
4.5 million
Correct Answer
B. 2.5 millionExplanation
Too low CORRECT: B At least that's the best estimate. C. Too high D. Too highRate this question:
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- 14.
The first time fireworks were used to mark the Fourth of July was:
- A.
July 4, 1777
- B.
July 4, 1782
- C.
July 4, 1789
- D.
July 4, 1876
Correct Answer
A. July 4, 1777Explanation
CORRECT A: News accounts in Philadelphia and New York mention fireworks on that day, although fireworks may have been lit on July 8, 1776, when the declaration was read in Philadelphia. B. First Fourth after the war ended; South Carolina does claim it was the first to set off fireworks this year. C. First Fourth under the Constitution, but fireworks were common by then. D. By the centennial, fireworks were part of the holiday everywhere.Rate this question:
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- 15.
Which of these happened after the Declaration was signed?
- A.
Boston Tea Party
- B.
Battle of Lexington
- C.
Battle of Ticonderoga
- D.
Battle of Bunker Hill
Correct Answer
C. Battle of TiconderogaExplanation
A. No, that was 1773; ask any Tea Partier. B. No, "eighteenth of April of '75, hardly a man is now alive..." Correct: C. Ethan Allen's Green Mountain Boys captured the fort in "the name of the Great Jehovah and the Continental Congress" in 1777. D. No, the battle, which was actually fought on Breeds Hill, was in 1775.Rate this question:
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- 16.
What Civil War general had a father who was a famous commander in the American Revolution?
- A.
Ulysses S. Grant
- B.
Nathan Bedford Forrest
- C.
Robert E. Lee
- D.
William Tecumseh Sherman
Correct Answer
C. Robert E. LeeExplanation
A. No, Grant's father was born in 1794. B No. Forrest was the father of the Ku Klux Klan, but his father was a blacksmith. CORRECT: C, Lee’s father was known as Light Horse Harry Lee, and commanded a cavalry unit. D: His father was a lawyer.Rate this question:
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- 17.
What is the opening line to the second verse of The Star-Spangled Banner?
- A.
As a nation we rise, in defense of what’s right.
- B.
On the shore dimly seen, through the mists of the deep.
- C.
And where is that band who so vauntingly swore.
- D.
Oh thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Correct Answer
B. On the shore dimly seen, through the mists of the deep.Explanation
A. No, we made that one up. CORRECT: This is how the second verse starts. C: No, this is the start of the third verse D. No, this is the start of the fourth verseRate this question:
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- 18.
The Liberty Bell got its name because:
- A.
It was rung to announce the signing of the Declaration
- B.
It was rung to announce the ratification of the Constitution
- C.
It was rung to announce the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation
- D.
It says liberty on the bell
Correct Answer
D. It says liberty on the bellExplanation
A. No, there's no reliable account of it being rung for the declaration. B. No, there's no reliable account of it being rung for the constitution. C. No, although abolitionists did use the bell in the mid-1800s. CORRECT: D. It gets its name from the inscription "Proclaim Liberty throughout the Land," from Leviticus.Rate this question:
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- 19.
The Declaration was adopted by the Second Continental Congress while meeting in Philadelphia. Where did the First Continental Congress meet?
- A.
Philadelphia
- B.
Lancaster, Pa.
- C.
New York
- D.
Baltimore
Correct Answer
A. PhiladelphiaExplanation
CORRECT A: The entire session was in Philadelphia.
B: No, but the 2nd Continental Congress did meet here at one point.
C. No, but the 2nd Continental Congress did meet here at one point
D. No, but the 2nd Continental Congress did meet here at one point.Rate this question:
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Mar 21, 2023Quiz Edited by
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Jul 02, 2010Quiz Created by
Spokesmanreview
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