20 questions to find out just how much you know about our country
The Arizona Republic
Jul. 1, 2007 12:00 AM

We all consider ourselves American Superheroes - or is that redundant?

But how much do we really know about our country, its laws, government structure and history?

Well, we've all played Twenty Questions, so here they are: 20 questions to determine just how "American" you really are.

Some questions are from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Naturalization Exam, which immigrants are required to take and pass before becoming U.S. citizens.

The answers are on Page V2. (Have fun but no peeking.)

1. Why do we celebrate the Fourth of July?

A: That's the date in 1776 when Great Britain surrendered and America gained its independence.

B: That's the date in 1776 when Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence.

C: That's the date in 1776 when George Washington became the first U.S. president.


2. Who said: "Give me liberty or give me death"?

A: Stonewall Jackson.

B: Paul Revere.

C: Patrick Henry.


3. Which U.S president or Founding Father is on the $50 bill?

A: Ulysses S. Grant

B: Theodore Roosevelt

C: Alexander Hamilton


4. How many U.S. senators are there?

A: 50 (one from each state).

B: 100 (two from each state).

C: 300 (four from each state).


5. How many voting U.S. House representatives are there?


A: 300

B: 356

C: 435

6. When did the Civil Rights Act pass?



A: 1887

B: 1964

C: 1973

7. What is Flag Day?

A: Commemorates the June 14, 1775, Battle of Bunker Hill, when the Stars and Stripes banner was first flown.

B: Commemorates the June 14, 1776, date when Betsy Ross presented her hand-sewn flag to George Washington.

C: Commemorates the June 14, 1777, adoption of the U.S. flag by the Continental Congress.


8. How many Supreme Court justices are there?


A: Six

B: Nine

C: 12

9. What was the 49th state added to the Union?

A: Arizona.

B: Alaska.

C: Hawaii.



10. Whose rights are guaranteed by the Constitution and Bill of Rights?

A: All people born in the United States.

B: All people living in the United States.

C: All people eligible to vote in the United States.



11. What is the name of the ship that brought the Pilgrims to America?

A: Santa Maria.

B: The Plymouth.

C: Mayflower.



12. Which constitutional amendment(s) guarantees or addresses voting rights?

A: The First, Second and Sixth amendments.

B: The Fifth Amendment.

C: The 15th, 19th, 24th and 26th amendments.



13. Who becomes president if both the president and vice president die?

A: House speaker.

B: Senate president.

C: Attorney general.



14. Who is recognized as the "Father of the American Navy"?

A: John Paul Jones

B: James Earl Jones

C: James Earl Ray



15. Who is known for uttering, "I have not yet begun to fight"?

A: John Paul Jones

B: Nathan Hale

C: Gen. Douglas MacArthur



16. Who was the most decorated U.S. combat soldier in World War II?

A: Movie actor Audie Murphy.

B: Baseball great Ted Williams.

C: Ira Hayes, a Pima Indian from Arizona.



17. Who elects the president of the United States?

A: The people by popular vote.

B: The Electoral College.

C: The Federal Election Commission.



18. Who wrote The Star Spangled Banner?

A: Alicia Keys.

B: Francis Scott Key.

C: John Ross Key.



19. Who has the power to declare war?

A: Commander in chief (president).

B: Chief of staff.

C: Congress.



20. What type of government does the United States have?

A: Monarchy.

B: Democracy.

C: Republic.

Answers on Page V2


1: B

2: C

3: A

4: B

5: C

6: B

7: C

8: B

9: B

10: B

11: C

12: C

13: A

14: A

15: A

16: A

17: B

18: B

19:C

20: C

RATING:

20 correct: American Superhero.

17-19 correct: All-American.

16 or fewer correct: Average American (and there's nothing wrong with that because we're an innovative nation always looking to improve itself).