In 1776, the Founding Fathers of the Second Continental Congress declared that the colonies were no longer subject to the monarch of Britain, King George III, becoming 13 united, free and independent states. On July 4, 1776, this group adopted the Declaration of Independence.

Thomas Jefferson, chosen to draft this pivotal document, composed the Declaration primarily on his own over 17 days in a rented room at 700 Market Street in Philadelphia.

The Declaration was signed by 56 individuals—mostly white lawyers, merchants and plantation owners—including prominent figures like Jefferson, John Hancock and Benjamin Franklin.

How familiar are you with this pivotal piece of American history? Test your knowledge with the quiz below. Answers are provided at the end.

1. Who said, “Freedom is never granted. It is earned by each generation.”?

a. Harry Truman

b. Franklin D. Roosevelt

c. Hillary Clinton

d. Ronald Reagan

2. Where was the Declaration of Independence stored during World War II?

a. Fort Knox

b. Annapolis

c. West Point

d. The White House

3. What was the estimated population of the United States in 1776?

a. 2.5 million

b. 5 million

c. 12 million

d. 15 million

4. How many hot dogs do Americans consume on average July 4?

a. 50 million

b. 100 million

c. 150 million

d. 200 million

5. Which American president was born on July 4?

a. Teddy Roosevelt

b. Calvin Coolidge

c. Harry Truman

d. George H. W. Bush

6. Who was the oldest signer of the Declaration of Independence?

a. John Hancock

b. Thomas Jefferson

c. John Adams

d. Benjamin Franklin

7. What year did Independence Day become an official federal holiday?

a. 1938

b. 1941

c. 1945

d. 1951

8. Fireworks were first used to celebrate Independence Day in:

a. 1777

b. 1812

c. 1861

d. 1899

9. Which two U.S. presidents died on July 4, 1826?

a. George Washington & Samuel Adams

b. Thomas Jefferson & John Adams

c. Samuel Adams & James Madison

d. Thomas Jefferson & Benjamin Franklin

10. Benjamin Franklin preferred which bird over the bald eagle for the national symbol?

a. chicken

b. seagull

c. falcon

d. turkey

11. In 1778, George Washington celebrated Independence Day by giving his soldiers:

a. rum

b. boots

c. coats

d. rifles

12. Approximately how many fireworks displays take place in America each year?

a. 5,000

b. 11,000

c. 14,000

d. 18,000 

ANSWERS

1. C - Hillary Clinton said, "Freedom is never granted. It is earned by each generation." (This one threw our editorial staff!)

2. A - The Declaration of Independence was stored at Fort Knox during World War II.

3. A - In 1776, there were an estimated 2.5 million people in the U.S.

4. C - Approximately 150 million hot dogs are consumed by Americans on July 4.

5. B - Calvin Coolidge was born on July 4, 1872

6. D - At 70, Benjamin Franklin was the oldest signer of the Declaration of Independence.

7. B - Independence Day became an official federal holiday in 1941.

8. A - Fireworks were used to celebrate our country's independence as early as 1777.

9. B - Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both died on July 4, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.

10. D - It's a popular myth that Benjamin Franklin preferred the turkey over the bald eagle as America's national symbol.

11. A - George Washington celebrated Independence Day by giving his soldiers rum. 

12. C - Approximately 14,000 fireworks displays take place in America each year.