Question 1: Which New York City river is lit up by fireworks in today’s image?
- Hudson River
- East River
- Harlem River
Correct Answer: Hudson River
Fact: This year’s Independence Day fireworks will feature a variety of shells and effects, launched from barges along the Hudson River. Spectators can watch in person in Manhattan and New Jersey, or they can enjoy the pyrotechnic spectacle on TV.
Question 2: Who was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence?
- Abraham Lincoln
- Thomas Jefferson
- John Adams
Correct Answer: Thomas Jefferson
Fact: In 1776, a committee comprising Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Robert R. Livingston, and Roger Sherman, was tasked with drafting the declaration. Jefferson primarily composed it between June 11 and June 28, 1776, although his draft would be revised by the committee and the Second Continental Congress. Jefferson went on to hold office as the third president of the US from 1801 to 1809.
Question 3: Which city hosted the first organized Independence Day celebration?
- Philadelphia
- Chicago
- New York City
Correct Answer: Philadelphia
Fact: The first Fourth of July fireworks were lit in Philadelphia in 1777, during the inaugural Independence Day celebrations. A 13-gun salute was also fired from ships’ cannons, in honor of the 13 colonies.