David Grand Westminster Eagle column: How much do we really know about our country?

David Grand Westminster Eagle column: How much do we really know about our country?

Reading through the opinion section of the new website for the Westminster, Eldersburg and Sunday Carroll Eagle newspapers, I came across yet another David Grand gem. I must admit sheepishly that I got all of them correct but then again I am a history-geek. See how you do:

How much do we really know about our country?

Published July 2, 2008 by Eldersburg Eagle, Westminster Eagle

THE PASSING PARADE In lieu of a column, I thought I'd pass along a little brain teaser, courtesy of the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service....

How much do we really know about our country?

By David Grand

7/02/08

THE PASSING PARADE

In lieu of a column, I thought I'd pass along a little brain teaser, courtesy of the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service. Let's call it an Independence Day Quiz, seeing as how the nation's birthday is this week.

The quiz consists of questions that are eligible for the new citizenship test which, beginning in October, will be given to people seeking to gain citizenship. The old test is being revised, supposedly to add in a bit more contemporary history.

So let's see how you do.

The answers are at the bottom -- but don't sneak a peek at 'em.

***

1. Why does the flag have 13 stripes?
a) They represent the number of signers of the Declaration of Independence.
b) They represent the original colonies.
c) One for each battle fought for Independence.

2. How many amendments does the Constitution have?
a) 23
b) 19
c) 27

3. When was our Constitution written?
a) 1776
b) 1773
c) 1787

4. We elect U.S. Representatives to a term of how many years?
a) 1
b) 2
c) 4
d) 6

5. Which of the following rights or freedoms is established by the first amendment?
a) Freedom of speech.
b) Freedom of the press.
c) Freedom of religion.
d) All of the above.

6. How many justices are on the U.S. Supreme Court?
a) 7
b) 9
c) 6
d) 11

7. How many U.S. Senators are there?
a) 50
b) 435
c) 100
d) It depends on state populations.

8. If both the president and vice president die or can no longer serve, who becomes president?
a) Secretary of State.
b) Attorney General.
c) Speaker of the House of Representatives.

9. What did Susan B. Anthony do?
a) She sewed the first flag.
b) She advocated for women's rights and civil rights.
c) She was the first woman U.S. Treasurer.

10. What are the two bodies of the U.S. Congress?
a) Executive and Legislative.
b) Judicial and Federal.
c) House and Senate.
d) Federal and State.

***

Don't feel bad if you "failed." Being a patriot is a work in progress. You're still entitled to express your pride in America on Friday ... and you're entitled to have a happy Fourth of July.

(Answers: 1-b, 2-c, 3-c, 4-b, 5-d, 6-b, 7-c, 8-c, 9-b, 10-c)

20080702 David Grand Westminster Eagle column: How much do we really know about our country?

http://www.explorecarroll.com/opinion/74/how-much-do-we-really-know-about-our-country/