Trivia On Independence Day! MCQ Quiz

1. How many original colonies were there?

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.

Explanation

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.

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2. The Continental Congress that declared independence was meeting in:

Boston

Philadelphia

New York

Washington, D.C.

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.

Explanation

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.

3. We celebrate Independence Day with fireworks because the Continental Congress did that in 1776.

True

False

Stripes were once added but later removed for Vermont and Kentucky, and some early versions had as few as nine stripes.

Explanation

Stripes were once added but later removed for Vermont and Kentucky, and some early versions had as few as nine stripes.

4. Of the following, who did not sign the Declaration of Independence?

George Washington

John Adams

Benjamin Franklin

Samuel Adams

Washington was with the Army.

Explanation

Washington was with the Army.

5. What war was taking place when the words to The Star-Spangled Banner were written?

The American Revolution

The War of 1812

The Civil War

The Spanish-American War

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 1931

Explanation

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 1931

6. What is the opening line to the second verse of The Star-Spangled Banner?

As a nation we rise, in defense of what’s right.

On the shore dimly seen, through the mists of the deep.

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore.

Oh thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand

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 verse

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 verse

7. Who was king of England when the Declaration was signed?

George II

George III

George IV

George V

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.

Explanation

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.

8. The last American president who served in the military in the American Revolution was:

George Washington

John Adams

James Madison

Andrew Jackson

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.

Explanation

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.

9. What Civil War general had a father who was a famous commander in the American Revolution?

Ulysses S. Grant

Nathan Bedford Forrest

Robert E. Lee

William Tecumseh Sherman

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.

Explanation

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.

10. About how many people lived in the 13 colonies when independence was declared on July 4, 1776?

1.5 million

2.5 million

3.5 million

4.5 million

Too low CORRECT: B At least that's the best estimate. C. Too high D. Too high

Explanation

Too low CORRECT: B At least that's the best estimate. C. Too high D. Too high

11. Three presidents died on July 4, but only one was born on July 4. Who was it?

Thomas Jefferson

Millard Fillmore

Calvin Coolidge

Harry Truman

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, 1884

Explanation

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, 1884

12. Which of these happened after the Declaration was signed?

Boston Tea Party

Battle of Lexington

Battle of Ticonderoga

Battle of Bunker Hill

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.

Explanation

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.

13. From the Battle of Lexington and Concord to the Battle of Yorktown, how long did the American Revolution last?

2.5 years

4 years

6.5 years

8 years

A. Not long enough B. Not long enough CORRECT: April 1775 to October 1781 D. Too long

Explanation

A. Not long enough B. Not long enough CORRECT: April 1775 to October 1781 D. Too long

14. When did the Fourth of July become a federal holiday?

1789, the year the Constitution was adopted

1801, by Thomas Jefferson’s executive order

1861, to have a reason to celebrate during the Civil War

1870, when Congress got around to it

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.

Explanation

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.

15. The Declaration was adopted by the Second Continental Congress while meeting in Philadelphia. Where did the First Continental Congress meet?

Philadelphia

Lancaster, Pa.

New York

Baltimore

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.

Explanation

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.

16. July 4, 1776 was the day that:

The American Revolution started.

The Continental Congress declared independence from England.

The Continental Congress approved the wording of the Declaration of Independence.

The Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence.

Independence was declared July 2, the signing of the document began in August.

Explanation

Independence was declared July 2, the signing of the document began in August.

17. While the number of stars in the U.S. flag changes with the number of states, it has always had 13 stripes.

True

False

Two stripes were added but later removed for the 14th and 15th states, and some early flags had as few as nine stripes.

Explanation

Two stripes were added but later removed for the 14th and 15th states, and some early flags had as few as nine stripes.

18. The Liberty Bell got its name because:

It was rung to announce the signing of the Declaration

It was rung to announce the ratification of the Constitution

It was rung to announce the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation

It says liberty on the bell

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.

Explanation

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.

19. The first time fireworks were used to mark the Fourth of July was:

July 4, 1777

July 4, 1782

July 4, 1789

July 4, 1876

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.

Explanation

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.