Abacoa & Alton Neighbors - July 2021

Whether you call it Independence Day or the Fourth of July, it’s one of the most patriotic holidays! Test your U.S. history knowledge and pick up some interesting bonus information along the way. Then, impress your family and friends at this year’s celebratory BBQs, parades and fireworks displays! 1. Who was the main author of the Declaration of Independence? a. John Hancock b. Thomas Jefferson c. Benjamin Franklin d. John Adams Bonus: Besides the main author, four others were also on the committee. 2. Who was the first person to sign the Declaration of Independence? a. John Hancock b. Thomas Jefferson c. John Adams d. Benjamin Franklin Bonus: This person’s signature is the largest one on the document. 3. By what date had the official copy of the Declaration of Independence been signed by all of its signers? a. July 2, 1776 b. July 4, 1776 c. August 1, 1776 d. August 2, 1776 Bonus: There were a total of 56 signers. 4. What was the average age of the signers of the Declaration of Independence? a. 63 b. 57 c. 52 d. 45 Bonus: The oldest signer was Benjamin Franklin (70) and the youngest was Thomas Lynch, Jr. (26). 5. In what year did Congress make Independence Day an official holiday? a. 1776 b. 1801 c. 1870 d. 1905 Bonus: Congress changed Independence Day from unpaid to a paid federal holiday in 1938. 6. When was the Declaration of Independence first read in public? a. July 4, 1776 b. July 7, 1776 c. July 8, 1776 d. July 10, 1776 Bonus: This is the same day that the first Independence Day celebration took place (in Philadelphia). People were summoned to this reading by the ringing of the Liberty Bell. 7. Every Independence Day, the Liberty Bell is rung once for each of the original colonies. How many times does it ring? a. 10 b. 12 c. 13 d. 15 Bonus: Every year (at 2pm) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, descendants of people who signed the Declaration of Independence tap the bell. 8. When did the White House hold its first Fourth of July party? a. 1776 b. 1777 c. 1800 d. 1801 Bonus: This celebration consisted of the president greeting citizens, diplomats and a group of Cherokee chiefs at a public reception in the Blue Room. There were festivals, food and horseracing on the north grounds. 9. How many presidents have been born on July 4? a. 1 b. 2 c. 4 d. 5 Bonus: Three presidents have died on July 4: Presidents John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe. 10.In what year did the “Star Spangled Banner” (traditionally played before Fourth of July shows and celebrations) become the U.S. national anthem? a. 1812 b. 1814 c. 1931 d. 1942 Bonus: This four-verse song was written, but not titled, by Francis Scott Key. It first appeared with the title “Defence of Fort M’Henry”. It received its current title later on when a Baltimore music store printed the lyrics with accompanying sheet music. Sources: acei-global.blog, bhg.com, goodhousekeeping.com, history.com , washingtonian.com By Teressa Gray Answers: 1) b, 2) a, 3) d, 4) d, 5) c, 6) c, 7) c, 8) d, 9) a, 10) c INDEPENDENCE DAY TRIVIA J u l y 2 0 2 1 | Abacoa &Alton N E I G H B O R S 31 PUZZLES & GAMES