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55 Fourth of July trivia questions

Fourth of July questions for a backyard party, a picnic or a class before the summer break: the Declaration and the people who signed it, the flag and the anthem, fireworks, the oldest parade and the hot dog contest at Coney Island. Each answer links to its source. Play them on the screen, or print a player sheet and the answer key.

55 questions · Fourth of July trivia questions · answers included

Updated

Fourth of July trivia questions

Choose a score button to add a point. Scores last for this page visit.

Space shows the answer, then the next card. Arrow keys move. With scores on, keys 1 to 6 add a team point. F fills the screen. Escape closes play.

Questions 1–20

  1. 1

    Which body adopted the Declaration of Independence?

    medium

    Answer

    The Continental Congress.

    Source: US National Archives https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/declaration-of-independence

  2. 2

    On what date was the Declaration adopted?

    easy

    Answer

    July 4, 1776.

    Source: US National Archives https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/declaration-of-independence

  3. 3

    Who drafted most of its text?

    easy

    Answer

    Thomas Jefferson.

    Source: US National Archives https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/declaration-of-independence

  4. 4

    How many members served on the drafting committee?

    medium

    Answer

    Five.

    Source: US National Archives https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/declaration-of-independence

  5. 5

    Who printed the early broadside copies?

    hard

    Answer

    John Dunlap.

    Source: US National Archives https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/declaration-of-independence

  6. 6

    Who signed the engrossed copy first as president of Congress?

    medium

    Answer

    John Hancock.

    Source: US National Archives https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/declaration-of-independence

  7. 7

    On what material was the official copy engrossed?

    medium

    Answer

    Parchment.

    Source: US National Archives https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/declaration-of-independence

  8. 8

    How many delegates eventually signed the Declaration?

    medium

    Answer

    56.

    Source: US National Archives https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/declaration-of-independence

  9. 9

    Which king were the Thirteen Colonies declaring themselves free of?

    easy

    Answer

    King George III, the monarch of Britain.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_Day_(United_States)?oldid=1377826674

  10. 10

    Which Virginia delegate proposed the resolution of independence in June 1776?

    hard

    Answer

    Richard Henry Lee.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_Day_(United_States)?oldid=1377826674

  11. 11

    In a letter to his wife Abigail, which day did John Adams predict Americans would celebrate?

    hard

    Answer

    The second day of July, when Congress voted for independence.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_Day_(United_States)?oldid=1377826674

  12. 12

    In which city did Thomas Jefferson write the Declaration, in a rented room?

    easy

    Answer

    Philadelphia, on Market Street.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_Day_(United_States)?oldid=1377826674

  13. 13

    Over about how many days did Jefferson write the Declaration?

    hard

    Answer

    17 days, in June 1776.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_Day_(United_States)?oldid=1377826674

  14. 14

    On which date do most historians say the Declaration was signed?

    hard

    Answer

    August 2, 1776, nearly a month after its adoption.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_Day_(United_States)?oldid=1377826674

  15. 15

    Which two presidents who had signed the Declaration both died on July 4, 1826?

    medium

    Answer

    Thomas Jefferson and John Adams.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_Day_(United_States)?oldid=1377826674

  16. 16

    Which anniversary of the Declaration fell on the day Jefferson and Adams died?

    medium

    Answer

    The 50th.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_Day_(United_States)?oldid=1377826674

  17. 17

    Which other president died on July 4, five years after Jefferson and Adams?

    hard

    Answer

    James Monroe, in 1831.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_Day_(United_States)?oldid=1377826674

  18. 18

    Which US president was born on the Fourth of July?

    medium

    Answer

    Calvin Coolidge, in 1872.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_Day_(United_States)?oldid=1377826674

  19. 19

    In 1778, what did George Washington give his soldiers to mark July 4?

    medium

    Answer

    A double ration of rum.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_Day_(United_States)?oldid=1377826674

  20. 20

    Which state legislature was the first to make July 4 a state celebration?

    hard

    Answer

    Massachusetts, in 1781.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_Day_(United_States)?oldid=1377826674

Questions 21–40

  1. 21

    In which year did Independence Day become a paid federal holiday?

    hard

    Answer

    1938.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_Day_(United_States)?oldid=1377826674

  2. 22

    When July 4 falls on a Saturday, which day do federal workers take off instead?

    medium

    Answer

    Friday, the day before.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_Day_(United_States)?oldid=1377826674

  3. 23

    What do military bases fire at noon on Independence Day, one gun for each state?

    hard

    Answer

    A salute to the union.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_Day_(United_States)?oldid=1377826674

  4. 24

    In New England, what were the towering bonfire pyramids for the night before the Fourth built from?

    hard

    Answer

    Barrels and casks.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_Day_(United_States)?oldid=1377826674

  5. 25

    Which three colors decorate most Fourth of July streamers and balloons?

    easy

    Answer

    Red, white and blue, the colors of the flag.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_Day_(United_States)?oldid=1377826674

  6. 26

    Which department store puts on New York City's Fourth of July fireworks?

    medium

    Answer

    Macy's.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_Day_(United_States)?oldid=1377826674

  7. 27

    Which town's parade, held since 1785, is the oldest continuous Independence Day celebration in the country?

    hard

    Answer

    Bristol, Rhode Island.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_Day_(United_States)?oldid=1377826674

  8. 28

    Which Nebraska town did Congress name "America's Official Fourth of July City"?

    hard

    Answer

    Seward.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_Day_(United_States)?oldid=1377826674

  9. 29

    Which orchestra plays a Fourth of July concert with fireworks over Boston's Charles River?

    medium

    Answer

    The Boston Pops.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_Day_(United_States)?oldid=1377826674

  10. 30

    During which piece of music are cannons fired at the Boston Pops' Fourth of July concert?

    medium

    Answer

    The 1812 Overture, by Tchaikovsky.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_Day_(United_States)?oldid=1377826674

  11. 31

    Which free concert on the lawn of the Capitol in Washington, D.C., comes before the fireworks?

    hard

    Answer

    A Capitol Fourth, broadcast on PBS.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_Day_(United_States)?oldid=1377826674

  12. 32

    Which Asian country keeps July 4 as its Republic Day?

    medium

    Answer

    The Philippines.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_Day_(United_States)?oldid=1377826674

  13. 33

    In which European country are the largest July 4 celebrations outside the United States said to be held?

    hard

    Answer

    Denmark, in Rebild National Park.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_Day_(United_States)?oldid=1377826674

  14. 34

    Finish the line from the Declaration: "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of ..."

    easy

    Answer

    Happiness.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Declaration_of_Independence?oldid=1379685614

  15. 35

    In which Philadelphia building was the Declaration adopted?

    medium

    Answer

    Independence Hall, then called the Pennsylvania State House.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Declaration_of_Independence?oldid=1379685614

  16. 36

    Where can you see the signed Declaration of Independence today?

    easy

    Answer

    The National Archives, in Washington, D.C.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Declaration_of_Independence?oldid=1379685614

  17. 37

    During World War II, where was the Declaration kept for safety?

    hard

    Answer

    Fort Knox, in Kentucky.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Declaration_of_Independence?oldid=1379685614

  18. 38

    Finish the words cast on the Liberty Bell: "Proclaim LIBERTY Throughout all the Land unto all the ..."

    medium

    Answer

    Inhabitants Thereof.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberty_Bell?oldid=1380018845

  19. 39

    A widespread story says the Liberty Bell cracked while ringing after whose death in 1835?

    hard

    Answer

    Chief Justice John Marshall.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberty_Bell?oldid=1380018845

  20. 40

    How many stripes are on the flag of the United States?

    easy

    Answer

    Thirteen, red and white.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_the_United_States?oldid=1378919390

Questions 41–55

  1. 41

    How many stars are on the flag of the United States?

    easy

    Answer

    Fifty, white on a blue field.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_the_United_States?oldid=1378919390

  2. 42

    When a new state joins, on which day does the flag with its new star become official?

    hard

    Answer

    July 4, the first one after the state joins.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_the_United_States?oldid=1378919390

  3. 43

    Which nickname for the flag did William Driver coin?

    medium

    Answer

    Old Glory.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_the_United_States?oldid=1378919390

  4. 44

    Which version of the flag has been in use longer than any other?

    medium

    Answer

    The 50-star flag.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_the_United_States?oldid=1378919390

  5. 45

    Who wrote the words of "The Star-Spangled Banner"?

    easy

    Answer

    Francis Scott Key, a lawyer, in 1814.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Star-Spangled_Banner?oldid=1377509797

  6. 46

    The bombardment of which fort inspired "The Star-Spangled Banner"?

    medium

    Answer

    Fort McHenry, in Baltimore.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Star-Spangled_Banner?oldid=1377509797

  7. 47

    In which year did "The Star-Spangled Banner" become the official national anthem?

    medium

    Answer

    1931.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Star-Spangled_Banner?oldid=1377509797

  8. 48

    "Yankee Doodle" is the state song of which state?

    medium

    Answer

    Connecticut.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yankee_Doodle?oldid=1377864614

  9. 49

    Uncle Sam may be named after Samuel Wilson. What was Wilson's trade?

    hard

    Answer

    A meatpacker, who supplied rations to soldiers in the War of 1812.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncle_Sam?oldid=1373395397

  10. 50

    Which artist made Uncle Sam famous with a 1917 recruiting poster?

    hard

    Answer

    James Montgomery Flagg.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncle_Sam?oldid=1373395397

  11. 51

    In which country were fireworks invented?

    easy

    Answer

    China, still their largest maker.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fireworks?oldid=1380207396

  12. 52

    Where is Nathan's hot dog eating contest held every July 4?

    easy

    Answer

    Coney Island, in Brooklyn.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nathan%27s_Hot_Dog_Eating_Contest?oldid=1380412220

  13. 53

    How long do eaters have in Nathan's hot dog eating contest?

    medium

    Answer

    Ten minutes.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nathan%27s_Hot_Dog_Eating_Contest?oldid=1380412220

  14. 54

    How many hot dogs did Joey Chestnut eat to win the men's contest in 2026?

    hard

    Answer

    66 hot dogs.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nathan%27s_Hot_Dog_Eating_Contest?oldid=1380412220

  15. 55

    Which eater downed 50 hot dogs in 2001, nearly twice the old record?

    medium

    Answer

    Kobayashi, from Japan.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nathan%27s_Hot_Dog_Eating_Contest?oldid=1380412220

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