Wave That Flag . . .

. . . Vigorously, you truehearted, red-blooded, wild-about-your-country citizen!

I thought it would be fun to share a few tidbits about July 4th. See if you can guess the answers.

1. How many men actually signed the Declaration of Independence?
2. What day did most of the signers actually sign the Declaration of Independence?
   
3. Do you know which president was born on July 4th?
4. Do you know which three presidents died on July 4th?
5. When did the Fourth of July become a legal holiday?
6. Is there anything written on the back of the Declaration of Independence?
   
7. America isn’t the only day to celebrate the Fourth of July? Which other countries and why?
8. When were fireworks first used to celebrate July 4th?
9. How many people lived in the U.S. when the Declaration of Independence was signed?
10. Which president first held a July 4th celebration at the White House?

Bonus two questions:

• Which newspaper first printed the Declaration of Independence?
• Which country gained their independence from the U.S. on July 4th?

ANSWERS:

1.  Two. 
2.  August 2, 1776
3.  It was Calvin Coolidge, the 30th president, in 1872.
4. They were three of the first five presidents: John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe.
5.  1870. Then, in 1938, Congress reaffirmed the holiday to make sure all workers received full pay.
6.  Yes! It’s said the following is written upside down and backwards:  “Original Declaration of Independence dated 4th July 1776.” It’s not known who wrote it, or when. In Revolutionary War years, parchment was rolled up, so this probably served as a message.
7. Denmark, England, Sweden, Norway and Portugal. Because thousands of people emigrated to the U.S. in the early 1900s. Some celebrate near tourist attractions or near military bases.
8.  1777. They were ignited over Philadelphia. They also used bonfires and bells
9.  2.5 million
10.  Thomas Jefferson

Bonus Answers:

•  The Pennsylvania Evening Post
•  Phillipines

There you have it. Celebrate the day regardless of what you knew before this fun quiz! Enjoy your day filled with thoughts of gratefulness for our country, happiness that you’re alive and have friends and/or family, and the love of God.

Blessed Fourth!