Test your Independence Day knowledge with these 10 true or false questions!

  1. On July 4th the Continental Congress voted in favor of declaring Independence from Great Britain.
  2. It was not until 1941 that July 4th became a paid federal holiday for federal employees.
  3. The Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4th, 1776.
  4. Pennsylvania became the first state to make the 4th of July an official state holiday in 1781.
  5. A United States President actually dies after eating spoiled fruit at a July 4th celebration.
  6. Four US Presidents died ON July 4th.
  7. Starting in 1818, new stars and stripes were added to the American flag each Juy 4th to mark the creation of new states
  8. One World Trade Center in New York is 1,776 feet tall to mark the year the US declared its independence from Great Britain
  9. As of 2016, July 4 was the number two holiday (after the Superbowl) for beer sales in the US, according to the National Beer Wholesalers Association
  10. Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest is held annually on July 4th.  In 2018, champion Joey Chestnut ate 74 hot dogs with buns in just 10 minutes.

 

Answers:

  1. FALSE – On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress voted in favor of declaring independence from Great Britain. The Declaration of Independence was officially adopted two days later, marked by the ringing of the Liberty Bell at Independence Hall in Philadelphia.  At the time, John Adams believed that July 2, not July 4, would be the date remembered by history.
  2. TRUE – it became a federal holiday in 1870, but a PAID holiday for federal employees in 1941
  3. FALSE – July 4th is the date that it was formally adopted by the Continental Congress, but it wasn’t signed by most signatories until August.
  4. FALSE – Massachussetts became the first state to make the 4th of July an official state holiday in 1781.
  5. TRUE – President Zachary Taylor died from this in 1850.
  6. FALSE – But THREE US Presidents HAVE died on July 4th – Thomas A Jefferson, John Adams, and James Monroe
  7. TRUE
  8. TRUE
  9. FALSE – it is the number ONE day for beer sales
  10. TRUE (and gross!)