American Holiday History: 10 Thanksgiving, Halloween and July Fourth Questions

Separate the actual historical records from familiar myths about Thanksgiving dates, Halloween lanterns, and Independence Day.

Choose one answer per question. There’s no timer. You can skip a question; unanswered questions count as incorrect.

QUESTION 01On what date did Congress adopt the Declaration of Independence?

July 2, 1776July 4, 1776August 2, 1776December 25, 1776

QUESTION 02On what date did Congress approve the independence resolution in 1776?

June 1July 2July 14August 2

QUESTION 03When did delegates begin signing the engrossed Declaration parchment?

July 1, 1776July 4, 1776August 2, 1776September 17, 1787

QUESTION 04How many people eventually signed the Declaration of Independence?

133356100

QUESTION 05Who drafted the principal text of the Declaration of Independence?

Benjamin FranklinThomas JeffersonGeorge WashingtonJohn Jay

QUESTION 06On which weekday and week of November is U.S. Thanksgiving observed?

First MondaySecond TuesdayFourth ThursdayLast Saturday

QUESTION 07Which president issued a major national Thanksgiving proclamation in 1863?

George WashingtonAbraham LincolnTheodore RooseveltHarry Truman

QUESTION 08In which year did Congress establish the modern fourth-Thursday Thanksgiving rule?

1776186319412001

QUESTION 09What vegetable was traditionally carved into jack-o-lanterns in Ireland?

TurnipsPumpkinsBell peppersEggplants

QUESTION 10What seasonal Celtic festival is discussed as one historic influence on Halloween?

SamhainHanamiDiwaliMidsummer in Sweden

Keep your curiosity going.