Independence Week Quiz: Fun & Educational!

Telling Tips is a series of articles from local experts to help you save money, make better decisions and plan for a better future… except for today. Today, Sheepshead Bites brings you the “Telling Tips Quiz – Independence Week Edition,” since, after all, the Declaration of Independence guarantees “Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” and a person whose finances are in order is a happy person. Answers will be posted in the comments by the end of the day. And no Googling!

Did you sign the Declaration of Independence?  Here’s your chance!

1. What was the date the America actually declared independence from Great Britain?

A: July 2, 1776

B: October 12, 1492, when Columbus discovered America.

C: September 3, 1783, when the British signed the Treaty of Paris.

D: July 4, 1776

2. Which words in the Declaration’s title ‘the unanimous declaration of the thirteen united states of america’ are capitalized?

A: Two: United States

B: All words are in caps.

C: Four: The, Declaration, States, America.

D: None, because the ‘cap lock’ key had not yet been invented on the typewriter.

3. During the War Between the States, did the Confederate States celebrate Independence Day?

A: No, because they did not want to use ammunition wastefully.

B: No, because they did not believe in the Union.

C: Yes, but only after winning a skirmish again the North.

D: Yes, because they were proud Americans.

4. As written at the beginning of the Declaration, why is this statement incorrect: ‘In Congress, July 4, 1776, the unanimous declaration of the thirteen United States of America.’

A: Most of the States were not in agreement.

B: New York did not approve the Declaration until July 15.

C: In July, Congress was in recess.

D: In 1776, July 4 was a Sunday, and no work could be done on the Sabbath.

5. How many signatures are on the Declaration?

A: 56 (the number of consecutive games in which Yankees’ Great Joe DiMaggio had a base hit in 1941)

B: 1 (John Hancock)

C: 13 (one from each colony)

D: 50 (one from each of the States)

6. Why did John Hancock write his name twice the size of any other?

A: He wanted King George III to be able to read it without his glasses.

B: John Hancock forgot his glasses and had to write large.

C: He was the only one to sign on July 4; everyone else signed on August 2.

D: He was a little ‘tipsy’ after a night of partying, and didn’t know what he was signing.

7. Name the two signers of the Declaration who served as President?

A: John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson.

B: George Washington and young Abe Lincoln.

C: John Adams and Thomas Jefferson.

D: George Washington and John Adams.

8. Where is the Declaration of Independence located?

A: In Philadelphia, Pa., in Independence Hall

B: Peking, China, in the ‘America’ exhibit.

C: In Washington, D.C., in the West Wing of the White House

D: In Washington, D.C., in the National Archives Building.

9. Independence Day was first celebrated in what city?

A: Philadelphia, Pa.

B: New York, N.Y.

C: Washington, D.C.

D: Boston, Ma.

10. Congress declared the 4th of July a Federal paid legal holiday in what year?

A: 1776

B: 1865

C: 1941

D: 1973