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Early US Trivia Trivia Quiz

Some questions about American independence and related early US history. The questions are all multiple choice.

A multiple-choice quiz by Cmax. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
Cmax

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
361,059

Updated
Feb 04 23

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
1602

Last 3 plays: Guest 3 (7/10), Guest 76 (8/10), joseslaughter (7/10).

Question 1 of 10

1. The Declaration of Independence was approved by colonial representatives on July 4, 1776 in Philadelphia, Pa. How many people signed the document? Hint

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Question 2 of 10

2. George Washington was the first president of the US. Where was he inaugurated to begin his first term? Hint

Boston, Massachusetts

Washington D. C.

New York City, New York

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Question 3 of 10

3. In what year did the United States purchase the Louisiana Territory from France? Hint

1803

1805

1801

1808

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Question 4 of 10

4. In the 19th century, three U.S. presidents died on July 4th. Who were they? Hint

James Madison, James Garfield, and James Polk

John Adams, James Madison, and James Monroe

John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Monroe

Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson, and U.S. Grant

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Question 5 of 10

5. As of 2013, only one U.S. president was born on July 4th. Who was he? Hint

Theodore Roosevelt

Grover Cleveland

Ronald Reagan

Calvin Coolidge

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Question 6 of 10

6. Which US First Lady is famous for rescuing the Gilbert Stuart full-length portrait of George Washington when the British burned the White House during the War of 1812? Hint

Rachel Jackson

Martha Washington

Dolley Madison

Elizabeth Monroe

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Question 7 of 10

7. The U.S. flag was first flown "under fire" at which battle? Hint

Battle of Saratoga

Battle of Oriskany

Battle of Monmouth

Battle of Bunker Hill

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Question 8 of 10

8. What is the proper way to fly the US flag at night? Hint

It must be illuminated

You cannot fly the flag at night

It must be flown at half mast

It must be flown upside down

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Question 9 of 10

9. George Washington was the first U.S. president under the Constitution. How many terms in office did he serve? Hint

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Question 10 of 10

10. What was the first permanent English settlement in North America? Hint

Roanoke, Virginia

St. Augustine, Florida

Jamestown, Virginia

Plymouth, Massachusetts

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Most Recent Scores

Apr 10 2024 : Guest 3: 7/10
Apr 05 2024 : Guest 76: 8/10
Apr 02 2024 : joseslaughter: 7/10
Mar 18 2024 : Guest 24: 8/10
Mar 12 2024 : mulligas: 8/10
Mar 12 2024 : Guest 172: 7/10
Mar 10 2024 : mitterns: 9/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The Declaration of Independence was approved by colonial representatives on July 4, 1776 in Philadelphia, Pa. How many people signed the document?

Answer: 56

Those people who signed the Declaration did so knowing that the penalty, if caught, would be death as a traitor. Americans sometimes tend to forget the courage shown by their founding fathers.

2. George Washington was the first president of the US. Where was he inaugurated to begin his first term?

Answer: New York City, New York

Washington was sworn in on April 30, 1789. The inauguration took place on a balcony at Federal Hall in New York City. The oath of office was administered by Chancellor Robert Livingston of New York. Washington spontaneously added the words "So help me God" and kissed the Bible on which his right hand had rested.

3. In what year did the United States purchase the Louisiana Territory from France?

Answer: 1803

President Jefferson sent James Monroe to France to aid minister Robert Livingston in the negotiations to purchase New Orleans from France. To Jefferson's amazement, Napoleon agreed to sell the entire Louisiana Territory for $15 million (about 3 cents per acre).

4. In the 19th century, three U.S. presidents died on July 4th. Who were they?

Answer: John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Monroe

John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were both signatories of the Declaration of independence and they died on the same date, July 4th, 1826, exactly 50 years after signing the Declaration!

James Monroe died July 4th, 1831. He died penniless. There were no pension plans for ex-presidents in those days.

5. As of 2013, only one U.S. president was born on July 4th. Who was he?

Answer: Calvin Coolidge

Calvin Coolidge was born July 4th, 1872 in Plymouth, Vermont. He did not like to waste words, and detested the social affairs that his position required him to attend. He was known as "Silent Cal". Once, at one of these affairs, a lady walked up to him and said that she had made a bet that she could get him to say more than two words.

He answered her by saying "You lose". He was the first president from Vermont, and died on January 5, 1933.

6. Which US First Lady is famous for rescuing the Gilbert Stuart full-length portrait of George Washington when the British burned the White House during the War of 1812?

Answer: Dolley Madison

Dolley Payne Todd Madison did something even more important a short time later. The White House had been badly burned and was uninhabitable. But she insisted that the government would continue in Washington. They borrowed a nearby house and the very first day they moved in, Dolley hosted one of her famous and well liked receptions.

The message was unmistakable: if Mrs. Madison was giving a party, then all must be well with the country. But James and Dolley Madison would never again live in the White House. When Dolley died at the age of 80 in 1849, she was the country's last link to the founding fathers.

She had known them all, and she had known them well. And everybody loved Dolley.

7. The U.S. flag was first flown "under fire" at which battle?

Answer: Battle of Oriskany

Oriskany is in New York. The battle was fought August 6, 1777 between British loyalists and Mohawk Indians versus Americans under General Nicholas Herkimer. There were heavy losses on both sides but the British retreated, ending their hopes for a victory at nearby Saratoga.

8. What is the proper way to fly the US flag at night?

Answer: It must be illuminated

You should not fly the American flag in adverse weather conditions, nor if it is torn or soiled. In fact, it should not be flown if it has ever touched the ground.

9. George Washington was the first U.S. president under the Constitution. How many terms in office did he serve?

Answer: 2

George Washington served two terms from 1789 - 1797. He was succeeded by his vice president John Adams. Washington only lived a short time after he left office. He died December 14, 1799. He is buried at Mount Vernon, Virginia.

10. What was the first permanent English settlement in North America?

Answer: Jamestown, Virginia

Jamestown was settled in 1607. It probably would have been abandoned if not for tobacco; exporting that cash crop saved the settlement.
Roanoke was settled earlier but abandoned.
St. Augustine was permanently settled in 1565, but by the Spanish explorer Pedro Menendez de Aviles.
Plymouth was settled in 1620.

Source: Author Cmax

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor stedman before going online.
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