If You Fail This Test, You're Not A Real American

“I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America…”

Most people living in America will be able to recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. But some won’t, and a few will even choose not to. Yet, because the Pledge was first hammered out in the fire of American pride and patriotism, should it not be our First Thought?

Some might say, "It doesn’t really matter if you know a load of words or not; how American you are depends on how you feel." But we say, "Surely, every American should be able to recite the Pledge." And then they say, "No, not everyone." And we say, "Yeah, but not knowing the Pledge makes you less American."

When all is said and done, if you want to be a proud citizen you should learn about your nation. And that stuff about the Pledge led us to wonder how many other New World principles are lost on the average Joe (or Jane), such as the number of stars there are on the Flag or the name of the first President.

So, we thought: What better way is there to find out than with a quiz?

People, forget your Citizenship Application. Scoring high with your answers to these questions will see you cross the border with flying colors.

If you fail it, though, you’re not a real American! (P.S. If you think there are 52 States in the Union, you may as well give up right now.)

Question 1

Who was the first President of the United States?

The Electoral College is a system allowing the American public to vote for electors who will then choose a President and a Vice President. In the early days, the first POTUS was elected by a unanimous vote. He became President in 1789. What was his name?

Question 2

What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?

The first U.S. Congress was a meeting of state representatives from each of the British-ruled American colonies. But it wasn’t long before the Congress decided to break from the Brits and adopt the Declaration of Independence in 1776. The colonies then became the “United States of America.”

Question 3

There were 13 original states. Which of these four was one of them?

13 States - which are part of what's now the United States - declared independence from Britain in 1783. This break followed the Revolutionary War and the Treaty of Paris. Tensions had earlier reached an all-time high when colonists threw a bunch of British tea into Boston harbor.

Question 4

Which President was famous for his dueling?

In the years that followed the Revolutionary War, America experienced a period of civil unrest and social disorder. There was also a great deal of political infighting, just as there is today. One President who served in the first half of the 19th Century was known for his brutal conquests in dueling.

Question 5

What should the Flag not be allowed to do?

Not only are there lots of flags flying these days, but there's a strict set of rules governing where it should be flown, how it should fly, and what it shouldn’t be allowed to do. Here’s one of them: the flag shouldn’t be dipped for anyone, including the President.

Question 6

Who won the 2016 NFL championship?

In February of 2017, an American football game was played to determine the winners of the 2016 season. The match took place in Houston, Texas between two great teams of the sport. The winning team managed the “largest comeback in Super Bowl history.”

Question 7

What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?

The Constitution outlines the United States’ laws and privileges. It's a guideline for national government and the basis of all laws that the government comes up with. Back in 1788 Congress started using the Constitution after it left British rule behind and built the new United States.

Question 8

What does a US citizen have the right to do?

The Government of the United States wants its citizens to feel as though they're bound by shared values, such as cultural liberty and a freedom of voice. And although sometimes, such things also seem curbed by the State, they're what the Constitution dictates.

Question 9

Which problem led to the Civil War?

When the Confederacy was formed in 1861, it wasn't recognized by either the United States government or any other foreign power. Nevertheless, it gained itself quite a following and fought the Northern Union over the course of four wars. But why?

Question 10

What's the highest court in the United States?

Shortly after the Constitution was ratified, Congress had to come up with ways to impose new laws on Americans. Before then, most legislations were enacted by the British parliament, which made no sense because what was right for Britain wasn’t necessarily right for the U.S.

Question 11

What's the population of all 50 states of the United States?

Unsurprisingly, NYC is the most populous city in the United States with around 8 million residents. The United States, as a whole, is the third most populous country in the world. But what's the estimated population of the country at the moment (November, 2017)?

Question 12

What’s another term for the Stars and Stripes?

Did you know the Flag has been changed 26 times since 1777? President Eisenhower was the one who, in 1959, ordered a new version showing 50 stars, and it’s stayed like that ever since. These days, everywhere you go in the United States there’s a Flag flying. There’s a lot of love for it.

Question 13

How many Presidents have there been (including the most recent)?

Since the first POTUS sat in office, numerous others have followed. Like leaders of other countries, some have been good, some bad, and some terrible. But all had one goal in mind: to serve the people of the United States and protect the sovereign interests of the Union.

Question 14

President Madison was the first graduate of which University?

Most Presidents have received a college degree. Out of all the POTUSs, only 12 have held no degree. Donald Trump graduated from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in Economics. But where did President James Madison study?

Question 15

What is Thomas Edison most famous for?

American inventor and entrepreneur Thomas Edison was born in Ohio and received most of his schooling from his mother, Nancy Elliott. Even so, home-schooled Edison went on to become one of the most familiar names in history.

Question 16

In what year was the Battle of Fort Donelson fought?

The American Civil War was waged in the last quarter of the 19th Century. Its belligerents were the armies of the Northern States (The United States) and the Southern States (The Confederate States). The Battle of Fort Donelson was one of the most costly of the conflict.

Question 17

In what year did the moon landings take place?

Thanks to an imaginative article in a popular mid-1950s magazine, the idea of sending men to the moon was given a green light by the then-president Eisenhower. At the time, such a project would also show the Soviets just how technologically savvy the US was.

Question 18

What was the main reason colonists came to America?

The Mayflower was a ship that was sailed from England to the New World in 1620. The 102 passengers comprised the Pilgrims, or religious purists, who were soon to set up a colony in New Plymouth. It took 66 days to cross the Atlantic.

Question 19

Which one is a U.S. territory?

Like most other big countries, the United States holds claims to overseas territories. These they've claimed through various means both peaceful and belligerent. National territories overseas are often a valuable source of produce and scientific or cultural research.

Question 20

Who was the first governor of New Plymouth Colony?

After the Pilgrims landed, they set up shop in new Plymouth Colony, which had previously been designated inhabitable by someone called "Captain John Smith." One of the Pilgrims was judged to have the right stuff to be the first governor of the prospect. Who was that?

Question 21

Which Native American tribe fought with the Confederate army?

During the Civil War, both sides recruited volunteer soldiers and also imposed conscription to boost numbers. Native Americans were caught up in the conflict, and some of them chose to take sides in battles. Which of these four tribes mainly fought for the Confederates?

Question 22

Who was reputedly the “sickest” President in history?

William Henry Harrison died one month after being inaugurated in 1841. It's thought he contracted pneumonia after catching a cold at his ceremony. His successor, John Tyler, managed a full term in office, but his death was pooh-poohed because of his Confederate leanings.

Question 23

What's the most commonly spoken Native American language in North America?

Without British protection, American settlers began to move westwards, encroaching on Native American land. After the sorry desolation of that culture, most Americans now realize its richness should be protected. Some native tribes still use their ancient language.

Question 24

Who led the Battle of the Little Bighorn?

The United States government’s want to claim ownership of more lands westwards put them at odds with the landed tribes of the Lakota Sioux and Northern Cheyenne. The Native Americans summarily destroyed the US army at Little Bighorn, but who led the American forces?

Question 25

Which is the only state in which coffee is grown?

The United States is a massive exporter of food, largely because of the vast swathes of farmland across its central belt. There's also a great expanse of arable land around the Great Lakes called "the Corn Belt." In which State is coffee grown?

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