Test Your Family Knowledge: Who Signed the Declaration of Independence?
- June 30th, 2009
- Posted in Books & Fun Games
One of the most important documents in the United States is the Declaration of Independence. However, so much about this document is unknown to a vast majority of the population. Public schools don’t stress its importance like they used to, so many people know very little about it. Why not test your family’s knowledge? Find out if they know who signed the Declaration of Independence.
Of course, before you can create a quiz or test to find out how much your family knows about the Declaration of Independence, you’ll want to learn all you can about it. The easiest way to learn is by going online and finding a copy of the document. You may also be able to find a copy in your local public library.
Take a close look at the document. Because it was handwritten, and signed by men of varying ages, some of the signatures may not be legible. Finding an online version of the document will give you a typed version to look at so you can understand the language of the document itself as well as getting help to read the signatures.
The following are some questions (with the answers) that you may want to ask. Since the answers are given, you will be able to determine how much your family knows about this important document and those that were instrumental in its existence.
Q: How many men signed the Declaration of Independence?
A: A total of 56 men signed the Declaration.
Q: Which colonies were represented by those who signed it?
A: All 13 of the original colonies had representatives to sign the Declaration, with Pennsylvania having the most delegates at 9.
Q: How many signers of the Declaration of Independence went on to hold national political offices in the fledgling country?
A: Two became President of the United States (Thomas Jefferson and John Adams) while three were Vice Presidents (Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Elbridge Gerry). Two signers (John Adams and Benjamin Harrison) had sons that later became President.
Q: How many signers served their country in another political capacity?
A: 13 signers of the Declaration of Independence became governors of their respective states. 18 served in their state legislatures. 16 became state and federal judges following the Revolutionary War. Seven men went on to become members of the United States House of Representatives while six became United States Senators. Two men (James Wilson and Samuel Chase) were among the first Justices of the United States Supreme Court.
Q: Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
A: Thomas Jefferson, from Virginia, was selected to draft the Declaration and did so in 17 days.
Q: Which signer of the Declaration of Independence lived the longest?
A: Charles Carroll of Maryland died in 1832 at the age of 95.
Q: Was the Declaration of Independence actually signed on July 4, 1776?
A: No, the document was not signed until August 1, although the Congress did approve the wording of the document on July 4.
Q: Whose signature is the most easily recognizable?
A: John Hancock’s signature is nearly five inches long and was supposedly written large so King George could read it.
As citizens of the United States of America, we owe the men who signed the Declaration of Independence a debt of gratitude. After testing your family’s knowledge about the document, you may want to find a copy of it and try to memorize portions of it along with some of the names of the men who signed it.
