Every American must be proud of their country’s impressive history. The history of the United States spans almost 250 years and has many interesting anecdotes, moments, and revolutionary events. However, there are many things about American history that you might have missed in school. Let us look at some interesting questions about US history and find out whether you are a true history buff.
What was the inspiration behind the US Constitution?
Most of you would have assumed that Benjamin Franklin and the Founding Fathers crafted the US Constitution from scratch. However, that is not true, as they borrowed inspiration from the Native American tribes. The US Constitution has been largely modeled according to the Iroquois Confederacy’s constitution.
Which is the oldest city in the United States?
Jamestown is the standard answer to this question. On the other hand, people forget that Jamestown was the first English settlement in the US. St. Augustine is the oldest city in the US. The famous explorer, Ponce De Leon, claimed the city in Florida in the name of Spain in 1513. Subsequently, the US gained control of the city in 1821.
When did the US become independent?
The signing of the Declaration of Independence marks the country’s Independence Day. However, the Fourth of July is not the day when that happens. The Second Continental Congress declared America’s independence on July 2, 1776. Every US citizen celebrates Independence Day on the Fourth of July, which is the day when the final draft of the declaration is completed.
How many copies of the Declaration of Independence can you find today?
The Committee of Five was responsible for monitoring the reproduction of the Declaration of Independence to spread the word. Out of the hundreds of copies of the declaration, 26 remain today. Most of them are stored in libraries and museums, while three copies are in private ownership.
Who was the first president to live in the White House?
You are likely to think that George Washington might have been the first president to live in the White House as he was the first elected president of the US. However, George Washington looked after the construction of the house and never had the opportunity to live in it. John Adams was the first US president to live in the White House.
Was Sacagawea the contributor to Lewis and Clark’s expedition?
Sacagawea is a popular figure in US history for contributing to the Discovery Corp expedition. However, she was not alone on the expedition. Many historical accounts show that she carried her newborn son along on the journey, and her husband also accompanied her.
Why does the Liberty Bell misspell Pennsylvania?
The Liberty Bell has the wrong spelling of Pennsylvania, written as ‘Pensylvania.’ The actual reason for this error is the fact that it was the acceptable spelling for the name of the state in 1752 when the bell was created.
What was the role of Harriet Tubman in the Civil War?
Harriet Tubman found her way to freedom and took it upon herself to earn freedom for more people. As a matter of fact, she was a pioneering leader in the Civil War. She led an armed excursion in the Civil War and played a major role in liberating people in the Combahee River Raid.
Where did the Wright Brothers complete their education?
The Wright Brothers, Wilbur, & Orville Wright were popular worldwide for inventing the airplane. However, none of them had graduated from college. Their invention brought them fortune and recognition, thereby ensuring that they never had to pursue formal education.
Which is the oldest bridge in the United States?
The Frankford Avenue Bridge is the oldest in the U.S. It was created in 1697 and reconstructed in 1893. The bridge is older than the United States and is still functional, making it a more fascinating part of America’s history.
Which is the oldest library in the United States?
The Darby Free Library is the oldest library in the country. It was created in 1743 in Pennsylvania and has been continuously serving the needs of community members for over 275 years.
Did the US drop nuclear weapons anywhere?
The US had accidentally dropped nuclear weapons in North Carolina in 1961. However, the weapons never detonated as the impact would have been 260 times stronger than the attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Is Washington DC the first capital of the US?
No, New York is the first capital of the US, as George Washington made his inaugural address there in April 1789. Some of the other cities that have been the capitals of the US include Philadelphia, York, Trenton, Baltimore, and Princeton. Apparently, Lancaster was the capital of the United States for 24 hours.
What are Ben Franklin’s achievements other than being a Founding Father?
Benjamin Franklin was one of the famous Founding Fathers of the United States. At the same time, he was also a recognized scientist and inventor. Some of his unique inventions include swimming fins, bifocals, and the urinary catheter. Another notable achievement of Ben Franklin is his involvement in signing the US Constitution.
When did women in the US get the right to vote for the first time?
Women in the US got the right to vote for the first time in 1919 when Congress passed the 19th Amendment to the Constitution. The amendment was ratified in 1920 and changed US history forever, especially for women, as they also got the right to own property.
When was the US Secret Service created?
President Abraham Lincoln created the US Secret Service a few hours before his assassination on April 14, 1865. He signed the legislation establishing the US Secret Service before heading to Ford’s Theatre. The primary goal of the Secret Service was to fight counterfeit currencies.
Who was the first face on the dollar bill?
Anyone who takes a quick guess at this question would obviously say that it was George Washington. On the contrary, the first face on the dollar bill was that of Salmon P. Chase, the Secretary of the Treasury. He also designed the first banknotes in the US and became a Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in 1864.