By Staff
I once liked to imagine that I had a direct link to the Declaration of Independence.
Right there, in black ink on yellowed parchment, is the name &#8220William Whipple,” a signer of the document that began our nation's fight for freedom and democracy.
But a little research a long time ago taught me that William Whipple had no children, so if my family is related, it's not directly.
Doesn't matter. I inherited my freedom just as everyone else in our country did - I earned it thanks to the founding fathers and mothers and sons and daughters who fought for freedom and democracy over so many years.
But how well do we know the history of our freedom and the hallmarks of our democracy?
Folks that want to become legal citizens of the United States have to pass an oral citizenship test - not multiple choice.
Think back to your civics lessons and see how you would fare on a citizenship test with these questions.
The answers are on page 9A of today's edition.
1. How many stripes are there on the U.S. flag?
a. 27
b. 13
c. 15
d. 50
2. Who is the chief justice of the Supreme Court today?
a. Alberto Gonzales
b. John G. Roberts
c. Samuel Alito
d. Sandra Day O'Connor
3. What is guaranteed by the First Amendment?
a. life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness
b. freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of the press
c. right to bear arms
d. right to trial by jury
4. How many amendments are there in the Constitution?
a. 10
b. 13
c. 25
d. 27
5. How many representatives are there in Congress?
a. 50
b. 100
c. 435
d. 300
6. For how long do we elect a president?
a. Unlimited
b. Eight years
c. Four years
d. Two years
7. What constitutes the legislative branch of government?
a. Congress
b. Supreme Court
c. the White House
d. Vice president
8. In what month is a president inaugurated?
a. June
b. November
c. January
d. August
9. In what year was the Constitution written?
a. 1776
b. 1787
c. 1876
d. 1812
10. What are the 13 original states?
a. Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York, Tennessee, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Rhode Island, Maryland
b. Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Rhode Island, Maryland
c. Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Rhode Island, Maryland
d. Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Rhode Island, Maryland, Florida
Tough test? Turn to page 9A to see how you did.
Kerry Whipple Bean is publisher of The Brewton Standard. She can be reached at 251-867-4876 or by e-mail at kerry.bean@brewtonstandard.com.