Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Fourth-of-July trivia!

Spectators waiting for the Macy's fireworks to begin at Valentino Pier in Red Hook,
Brooklyn on the Fourth of July last year. Will you be watching fireworks this year?

Tomorrow is U.S. Independence Day, more commonly referred to as the Fourth of July. There will be fireworks in most cities, big and small. There will be backyard barbecues and outdoor concerts and get-togethers with family and friends.

If you are visiting the U.S., especially if you haven't been here long, knowing some basic information about the country might make your celebrations with Americans more meaningful. So, here are some questions that most Americans would know. Well, except for the ones who are interviewed on the street on the Jay Leno show. :-|

You'll find the answers when you scroll down, but try it out first without PEEKING (secretly looking). You might be surprised by how much you know.

Good luck, and have a wonderful, fun, and safe Fourth of July! 

  1. In what year did the U.S. declare independence from Britain?
  2. Who was the first President of the United States?
  3. Who was the first President to occupy the White House?
  4. Which city was the first capital of the U.S.?
  5. Where is the capital located now?
  6. How many states comprise the United States of America?
  7. Which state was the latest one to join the Union?
  8. What is the stars and stripes?
  9. How many stars are on the U.S. flag and why?
  10. How many stripes are on the flag and why?
  11. What is the national anthem of the U.S. called?
  12. Who is the current President of the U.S.?




THE ANSWERS:
1. In 1776. The Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776 but wasn't signed until August and not everyone signed on the same date.
2. George Washington
3. John Adams. He was the second President of the U.S. and the Vice President under George Washington
4. This is a tricky question. Philadelphia is where the Declaration of Independence was adopted and signed in 1776. New York City is where the U.S. Constitution was ratified (approved) & where George Washington was sworn in as the first President in 1789. 
5. Washington, D.C.
6. There are 50 states.
7. Hawaii was the latest one to join the Union in 1959.
8. The flag of the U.S.
9. There are 50 stars representing the 50 states.
10. There are 13 stripes representing the original 13 colonies.
11. The Star Spangled Banner
12. President Barack Obama

Have a great Fourth, everyone!

-- Joe Yu, ESL instructor

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