America’s 250th Anniversary Quiz

Come celebrate America’s 250^th by testing your knowledge related to American history and this extraordinary event!

-Featuring 20 multiple choice questions with answers at bottom-

1) America’s 250th anniversary marks what historic milestone?
a) George Washington’s 250th birthday
b) The official end of the American Revolution 250 years ago
c) The 250th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence
d) The official end of the Civil War 250 years ago

2) What term applies to the colonists who supported independence from British rule?
a) Patriots
b) Loyalists
c) Redcoats
d) Defectors

3) How many people signed the Declaration of Independence?
a) Six
b) Sixteen
c) Fifty-six
d) One hundred six

4) Per Study.com, how many parts are there to the Declaration of Independence?
a) Two
b) Five
c) Ten
d) Twenty

5) By coincidence, which two Founding Fathers died on the same day on the 50th Anniversary of the Declaration?
a) George Washington and Thomas Jefferson
b) Thomas Jefferson and John Hancock
c) John Adams and James Wilson
d) Thomas Jefferson and John Adams

6) Though edited by the Committee of Five and Continental Congress, who was the primary writer of the initial draft of the Declaration of Independence?
a) Thomas Jefferson
b) John Adams
c) Benjamin Franklin
d) Roger Sherman

7) Who formally declared the name of the new nation to be the “United States” of America to replace the term “United Colonies” which had prior been in general use?
a) George Washington via proclamation
b) The British Army
c) The Continental Army
d) The Continental Congress

8) Who saved the Declaration of Independence (along with the Constitution and Bill of Rights) from destruction by British forces in 1814?
a) James Madison
b) Stephen Pleasonton
c) Nicholas Cage
d) Andrew Jackson

9) Which American Colony was first to grant their Congressional delegation permission to vote for independence?
a) Delaware
b) New Jersey
c) New York
d) North Carolina

10) How long was the American Revolutionary War?
a) One year
b) Two years
c) Eight years
d) Twelve years

11) What vital official announcement was made in the Declaration of Independence?
a) Great Britain must pay tax to America
b) The right of women to vote
c) Separation of the 13 North American British Colonies from Great Britain
d) The end of the American Revolution

12) Which popular song is associated with the Revolutionary War?
a) Yankee Doodle
b) The Battle Hymn of the Republic
c) Amazing Grace
d) The Star-Spangled Banner

13) In limited release, which U.S. leader will have his picture added to over 25,000 passports to commemorate the 250th Anniversary of the United States?
a) Founding Father Thomas Jefferson
b) President Donald J. Trump
c) Navy Admiral Daryl Caudle
d) U.S. Secretary of Defense Peter Hegseth

14) Which state was not one of the original colonies?
a) Georgia
b) South Carolina
c) New York
d) Maine

15) Which is not another name for the quarter millennium?
a) Semiquincentennial
b) Bisequicentennial
c) Sestercentennial
d) Quasquicentennial

16) What were the colonists who supported the Monarchy called?
a) Tories
b) Revolutionaries
c) Whigs
d) Sons of Liberty

17) Which is true of the Liberty Bell?
a) The Liberty Bell is mainly made of copper
b) The Liberty Bell features a large iconic crack made worse by repair work
c) The Liberty Bell weighs 2,080 lbs.
d) All the above

18) Whose signature is considered most notable on the Declaration of Independence and his name synonymous with one’s signature?
a) John Hancock
b) Geoff Hancock
c) James Hancock
d) Button Gwinnett

19) How old was the youngest signer of the Declaration of Independence?
a) Age 13
b) Age 26
c) Age 39
d) Age 46

20) Which event will likely not occur for America’s 250th Anniversary?
a) A massive Maritime Parade of ships
b) AMAC’s celebration cruise to Alaska
c) President Trump lands on White House lawn in hot air balloon
d) America’s Block Party featuring music and community events

Answer key with explanations & reference for answers:

1. c – On July 4, 2026, our nation will commemorate and celebrate the 250^th signing of the Declaration of Independence.
2. a – A patriot is a person who vigorously loves, supports, and defends their country. Historically, patriots were fighting for the right to self-rule the colonies and obtain freedom from British oppression.
3. c – Fifty-six men signed the Declaration of Independence, and some of them went on to become U.S. Presidents.
4. b – Per Study.com, the Declaration of Independence is made up of five essential parts; the Introduction, the Preamble (Prologue Statement of Rights), List of Grievances, Reproach to “Our British Brethren,” and the Conclusion or Separation Performed.
5. d – By coincidence, both Thomas Jefferson and John Adams died on July 4, 1826 – within 5 hours of each other and on the 50^th Anniversary of the Declaration.
6. a – Though Thomas Jefferson is considered the primary writer, the Declaration of Independence is not the work of a single person, but rather representative of the people.
7. d – The Continental Congress renamed the nation on September 9, 1776.
8. b – On August 23, 1814, Stephen Pleasonton, “Fifth Auditor” of the U.S. Treasury Department, saved valuable documents from destruction by the British, including the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and Bill of Rights.
9. d – On Aril 12, 1776, North Carolina was the first colony to direct its delegates to vote for independence – adopting the Halifax Resolves.
10.  c – The American Revolutionary War lasted for eight years – between April 1775 to September 1783.
11.  c – On July 4, 1776, the United States officially declared its independence from the British Empire when the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence.
12.  a – Yankee Doodle is the song associated with the American Revolution. Though the tune was already well-known, tradition says that in 1755 a British doctor penned new words to mock his American allies, with “doodles” meaning fools.
13.  b – The State Department announced that it is preparing for a limited release of commemorative U.S. passports celebrating America’s 250^th birthday featuring a picture of our current U.S. President.
14.  d – Maine was not one of the original 13 colonies.
15.  d – A quasquicentennial is the 125^th anniversary of an event, place, or organization – not the 250^th.
16.  a – Colonists who supported the British Monarchy were called Loyalists or Tories, a term implying loyalty to the British Crown.
17.  d – All the above is the correct answer. The Liberty Bell is 70% copper, features an iconic crack widened by repair, and weighs 2,080 lbs.
18.  a – John Hancock is well-known for his signature on the Declaration of Independence. He signed conspicuously and in bold hand – allegedly in defiance of the British – but it is also argued that it may have been done to be read without spectacles, or so other delegates would see it.
19.  b – The youngest delegate to sign the Declaration of Independence was Edward Rutledge from South Carolina, at the ripe young age of 26.
20.  c – Despite it being a great idea, currently, it is not planned for the President to descend the White House lawn while riding in a hot air balloon – However, there will be nationwide celebrations including a gala ball, a maritime parade, a giant block party, – and even the celebratory AMAC cruise to beautiful Alaska.

How well did you do?

20 Correct – Perfect Score!

19-15 Correct – Well done.

14-10 Correct – Great effort.

9-5 Correct – Better luck next time.

5 or less Correct – Time to break open the history books!

Just For Fun Game Suggestion: Bring this quiz to your 250^th celebration and host your own America 250 trivia contest!