I think most people know the stories of July 4th. I love July 4th. So let’s have some hot dogs, some cold ones and lots of fun!

1) Rumors are that 1776 was a hot and miserable summer. What was the high on July 4th, according to Jefferson’s observations?
a) 97
b) 90
c) 83
d) 76

2) Who wrote, “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. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.”

a) George Washington
b) John Adams
c) John Hancock
d) Benjamin Franklin

3) Both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, two founding fathers of the U.S., and the only two men who signed the Declaration of Independence to become President died on the same day. What was the day?

a) July 2, 1826

b) July 4, 1826

c) August 2, 1826
d) December 25, 1826

4) The official signing of the Declaration was:
a) July 2, 1776
b) July 4, 1776
c) August 2, 1776
d) September 17, 1776

5) The first reading of the Declaration was on July 8th by Colonel John Nixon in Philadelphia. What else happened at that reading?
a) Many horses died of fright from fireworks.
b) British soldiers and patriots had a skirmish at the edge of the crowd.
c) Thomas Paine read one of his first pamphlets
d) The Liberty Bell cracked when it was rung.

6) The first American flag was commissioned by the 2nd Continental Congress and was sewn by:
a) Betsy Ross
b) Molly Pitcher
c) Martha Washington
d) Martha Jefferson

7) There are 31 towns in the Us with “liberty” in their names. Which state has the most with 4?
a) California
b) Ohio
c) Iowa
d) Arizona

8) What did happen on July 4, 1776?
a) The first battle of the Revolutionary War was fought.
b) The Second Continental Congress declared independence from Britain.
c) The Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Second Continental Congress.
d) The Declaration of Independence was signed.

9) Which of the following European powers did not fight on the side of the colonists in the Revolutionary War?
a) Spain
b) France
c) The Netherlands
d) Germany

10) Guess what? Another country in our hemisphere celebrates its independence in July. Which one?
a) Canada
b) Mexico
c) Brazil
d) Chile

I am feeling so independent that I am going to tell the missus good-bye. If I say it quiet enough she won’t hear me.
Answers? you bet your independent rear we have answers:

1) d) 76 recorded both by Jefferson and a Mr. Phineas Pemberton

2) b) John Adams – the resolution for Independence was adopted on July 2 which Adams then thought would be the day to celebrate.

3) b) Jefferson and Adams both died on July 4th,1826 – 50 years to the day of the adoption of the declaration.

4) c) The official signing was August 2, 1776. Some signings went on until December.

5) d) First ring and the bell cracked.

6) a) Betsy Ross

7) c) Iowa with Libertyville, New Liberty, North Liberty and the most fabulous West Liberty.

8) c) to be exact July 4th was the day the Declaration was adopted.

9) d) Germany, aka Hessians.

10) Today is Sunday, July 1 – the 145th Canadian Independence day. Stand up, turn North and wish them a Happy Canada Day!