4th Of July Trivia Quiz Questions With Answers

Trivia quiz with answers about the 4th of July

4th Of July Trivia Quiz Questions With Answers

What is Independence Day (4th of July)?
A: Independence Day (colloquial: the Fourth of July) is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.

What is the Declaration of Independence?
A: The Continental Congress declared that the thirteen American colonies regarded themselves as free and independent states, the United States of America, and were no longer connected to the British Crown.
The Congress actually voted to declare independence when?
A: Two days earlier, on July 2.

Independence Day is commonly associated with what?
A: Fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, family reunions, and political speeches and ceremonies, in addition to various other public and private events celebrating the history, government, and traditions of the United States.

Independence Day is the National Day of what country?
A: The United States.

During the American Revolution, the legal separation of the Thirteen Colonies from Great Britain in 1776 actually occurred on July 2, when the Second Continental Congress did what?
A: Voted to approve a resolution of independence that had been proposed in June by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia declaring the United States independent from Great Britain's rule.

After voting for independence, Congress turned its attention to what?
A: The Declaration of Independence, a statement explaining this decision, which had been prepared by a Committee of Five, with Thomas Jefferson as its principal author.

Congress debated and revised the wording of the Declaration, finally approving it when?
A: Two days later on July 4.

A day earlier what had John Adams written to his wife Abigail?
A: The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival.

Adams's prediction was off by how much?
A: Two days.

From the outset, Americans celebrated independence on July 4, the date shown on the much-publicized what?
A: Declaration of Independence.

What have historians long disputed?
A: Whether members of Congress signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4.

Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin all later wrote what?
A: That they had signed it on that day(July 4).

Most historians have concluded that the Declaration was signed when?
A: Nearly a month after its adoption, on August 2, 1776, and not on July 4 as is commonly believed.

Coincidentally, both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the only signers of the Declaration of Independence later to serve as Presidents of the United States, died when?
A: On the same day: July 4, 1826, which was the 50th anniversary of the Declaration.

What other Founding Father of the Declaration of Independence, who was elected President, also died on July 4, 1831?
A: James Monroe.

He was the third President who died on what?
A: The anniversary of independence.

When was Calvin Coolidge, the 30th President born?
A: On July 4, 1872.

In 1777, on July 4 in Bristol, Rhode Island how many gunshots were fired in salute, once at morning and once again as evening fell?
A: Thirteen.

In 1778, from his headquarters at Ross Hall, near New Brunswick, New Jersey, General George Washington marked July 4 with what?
A: A double ration of rum for his soldiers and an artillery salute (feu de joie).

Across the Atlantic Ocean, ambassadors John Adams and Benjamin Franklin did what?
A: They held a dinner for their fellow Americans in Paris, France.

In 1779, July 4 fell on a Sunday, so the holiday was celebrated when?
A: On Monday, July 5.

In 1781, the Massachusetts General Court became the first state legislature to do what?
A: To recognize July 4 as a state celebration.

In 1783, Salem, North Carolina held a celebration with a challenging what?
A: Music program assembled by Johann Friedrich Peter entitled The Psalm of Joy.

The town claims to be the first public July 4 event, as it was carefully documented by whom?
A: The Moravian Church, and there are no government records of any earlier celebrations.

In 1870, the U.S. Congress made Independence Day a what?
A: An unpaid holiday for federal employees.

In 1938, Congress changed Independence Day to what?
A: A paid federal holiday.

Similar to other summer-themed events, Independence Day celebrations often take place where?
A: Outdoors.

Many politicians make it a point on this day to do what?
A: To appear at a public event to praise the nation's heritage, laws, history, society, and people.

Families often celebrate Independence Day by doing what?
A: Hosting or attending a picnic or barbecue.

Decorations (e.g., streamers, balloons, and clothing) are generally colored what?
A: Red, white, and blue, the colors of the American flag.

What are often held in the morning?
A: Parades.

What events usually occur after dark?
A: Fireworks displays.

The night before the Fourth was once the what?
A: Focal point of celebrations, marked by raucous gatherings often incorporating bonfires as their centerpiece.

In New England, towns competed to build what?
A: Towering pyramids, assembled from barrels and casks.

They were lit at nightfall to what?
A: Usher in the celebration.

The highest were in Salem, Massachusetts, with pyramids composed of how many tiers of barrels?
A: As many as forty.

These made the tallest “what”, ever recorded?
A: Bonfires.

The custom flourished in the 19th and 20th centuries and is still practiced where?
A: In some New England towns.

Independence Day fireworks are often accompanied by what?
A: Patriotic songs such as the national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner"; "God Bless America"; "America the Beautiful"; "My Country, 'Tis of Thee"; "This Land Is Your Land"; "Stars and Stripes Forever"; and, regionally, "Yankee Doodle" in northeastern states and "Dixie" in southern states.

Firework shows are held in many states, and many fireworks are sold for what?
A: Personal use or as an alternative to a public show.

Safety concerns have led some states to ban what?
A: Fireworks or limit the sizes and types allowed.

In addition, local and regional weather conditions may dictate what?
A: Whether the sale or use of fireworks in an area will be allowed.

A salute of one gun for each state in the United States, called a "salute to the union," is fired on Independence Day at noon by whom?
A: Any capable military base.

What city has the largest fireworks display in the country, with more than 22 tons of pyrotechnics exploded in 2009?
A: New York City.

Where does it generally hold displays?
A: In the East River.

Why is the first week of July typically one of the busiest United States travel periods of the year?
A: Many people use what is often a three-day holiday weekend for extended vacation trips.

In addition to a fireworks show what does Miami, Florida do?
A: It lights one of its tallest buildings with the patriotic red, white and blue color scheme.

New York City's fireworks display, shown above over the East Village, is sponsored by whom?
A: Macy's and is the largest in the country.

Held since 1785, the Bristol Fourth of July Parade in Bristol, Rhode Island, is what?
A: The oldest continuous Independence Day celebration in the United States.