Independence Day trivia quiz

1. Based on their age when they took office, Theodore Roosevelt (42) is the youngest president the U.S. has had. John F. Kennedy (43) is the second youngest. Who is the third youngest president? Fourth youngest? (Both were 46 and some months.)
2. Who was the oldest president?
3. Alaska is the largest state, Texas second. Which state is the third largest? Fourth largest? Fifth?
4. Rhode Island is the smallest state, Delaware second. Which state is the third smallest? Fourth smallest? Fifth?
5. The highest mountain in the eastern U.S. is in which state?
6. The largest county in the U.S. is San Bernardino, California (20,105 square miles). The smallest county (26 square miles) is?
7. The boundary with Mexico is 1,933 miles. The boundary with Canada is about (1) half as long, (2) the same as with Mexico, (3) half again as long as the boundary with Mexico, (4) more than twice as long as the boundary with Mexico?
8. Two first ladies earned post-graduate degrees. Which two?
9. True or false, the Liberty Bell cracked ringing to celebrate the Declaration of Independence.
10. The monarch to whom the Declaration of Independence is addressed is (1) Louis XIV, (2) Elizabeth I, (3) Edward VIII, (4) George III?

Bonus question: Quick, without looking, are there more red stripes or white stripes in the American flag?

History’s greatest coincidence

Thomas Jefferson and John Adams died on this date in 1826, 50 years to the day after the Declaration of Independence was adopted. Jefferson was the primary author of the Declaration; Adams, with Benjamin Franklin, was also key in its development.

[Image of first page of Jefferson's draft of the Declaration of Independence with edits.]

Adams and Jefferson were colleagues during the Revolution, but fell apart over political differences during their terms as president (Adams 1797-1801, Jefferson 1801-1809). After Jefferson left office they resumed a remarkable correspondence that lasted until their deaths.

Also, on that same day in 1826, Stephen Foster, the first great American songwriter, was born. “His melodies are so much a part of American history and culture that most people think they’re folk tunes. All in all he composed some 200 songs, including ‘Oh! Susanna’ ‘Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair,’ and ‘Camptown Races.’” [American Experience]

And “Old Folks at Home (Swanee River),” “My Old Kentucky Home” and “Beautiful Dreamer.”

It’s the birthday

… of actress Gloria Stuart, 96 today. She was Rose in Titanic and has appeared in more than 70 film and televison roles since 1932. She was nominated for a supporting Oscar for playing Rose. (Kate Winslet was nominated for a lead Oscar for playing the same character.)

… of Oscar winner Eva Marie Saint. She won the best supporting actress Oscar for On the Waterfront. She’s 82.

… of Marvin Neil Simon. Simon has received four Oscar best screenplay nominations — The Odd Couple, The Sunshine Boys, The Goodbye Girl and California Suite. He did win a Golden Globe for The Goodbye Girl.

… of Bill Withers. Someone in his family can be singing about “Grandpa’s Hands” now; he’s 68.

… of Zuzu Bailey. She’s 66. You know, ZuZu, the one with the petals, played by Karolyn Grimes in It’s a Wonderful Life. “Look, Daddy. Teacher says every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings.”

Independence National Historical Park (Pennsylvania)

… was established 50 years ago today.

Independence National Historical Park, located in downtown (called “Center City”), Philadelphia, is often referred to as the birthplace of our nation. At the park, visitors can see the Liberty Bell, an international symbol of freedom, and Independence Hall, a World Heritage Site where both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were created. In addition, the park interprets events and the lives of the diverse population during the years when Philadelphia was the capital of the United States from 1790 to 1800. A section of the park where Benjamin Franklin’s home once stood is dedicated to teaching about Franklin’s life and accomplishments. Spanning approximately 45 acres, the park has about 20 buildings open to the public.

Independence National Historical Park

Happy Independence Day