Here are fun facts to challenge your players:
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE: John Hancock’s was the first and only one on July Fourth. The remaining signatures were added over time, following the Fourth of July. The average age of the signers was 45. The youngest was 27, Thomas Lynch, Jr., and the oldest was Benjamin Franklin, at age 70. Two signers went on to become U.S. presidents: John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. Coincidentally, Jefferson and Adams both died on July 4, 1826, within hours of each other. The Declaration of Independence began as a letter to Britain’s King George explaining why the Continental Congress desired its independence from Great Britain. The writing took three days. It began on July 2 and was completed on July 4, 1776. 56 signatures appear on the Declaration of Independence.
FIREWORKS SHOWER the night sky in brilliant colors. Red, white, and blue punctuate the explosions. Friends and family enjoy homemade ice cream in scattered lawn chairs on freshly-mown grass while the children play nearby. As the grill and the humidity cool down, a day of celebration is wrapping itself in pyrotechnic glory, preparing for its finale. It’s been good to be together again.
But Independence Day is more than a federal holiday offering an extra day off. The celebrations we enjoy are possible because of our forefathers’ hard work and commitment to freedom.
We will always have much to learn from our country’s journey to independence. The July Fourth holiday is the ideal time to explore its history, if only for a few minutes each year. Consider adding a history trivia game to your celebration.
PHILADELPHIA’S INDEPENDENCE HALL: Formerly the Pennsylvania Statehouse. It was the location of the declaration’s adoption.
LIBERTY BELL: Philadelphia is the birthplace of much of America’s history and is home to the Liberty Bell. Each Independence Day, the bell is tapped 13 times in honor of the original 13 American colonies.
AMERICAN FLAG: The stars on the original American flag were placed in a circle so all of the colonies would be equally represented.
NATIONAL BIRD: Benjamin Franklin proposed the turkey as the national bird of the United States. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson overruled him, and the bald eagle became the national bird.
Your Independence Day trivia game will grow each year with our country’s rich history and today’s easy access to information. Your knowledge and appreciation for your country and the freedom it affords, will grow exponentially as well. Now, that’s a fun fact!
Explore America’s history and find more fun facts at American-history.net. GN
