TERRE HAUTE —
Of all the national holidays Americans celebrate, July 4th — Independence Day — sports the most essential link to the country’s shared history and ideals.
Yet, beyond the obvious, how much do we really know about that critical moment in time that launched a nation?
Fact 1: July 4, 1776, the day the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress.
Fact 2: The Declaration triggered the Revolutionary War.
OK. Anyone care to expand on those?
Sure, lots of people know more. But let’s admit it, knowledge gets more sparse the more you drill down into the details.
This time of year, I am always reminded of one of my favorite trivia questions. It goes like this: What are the first seven words of the Declaration of Independence?
The answer may come easy to some, but you’d be amazed how many people, when posed with the question, quickly provide what they think is the obvious answer: “We the people of the United States …”
Right idea, but wrong document. Those are the opening words to the preamble to the U.S. Constitution.
I’ll give you the answer shortly, but astute readers will have already found the answer elsewhere on this page.
Meanwhile, I’ll give you a chance to redeem yourselves. Back in the ’90s, when I was writing a weekly column for the Tribune-Star’s Metro section, I developed what I called a game of “Firecracker Trivia”, 10 questions with an Independence Day theme. See how many you can get …
1. Who was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence?
2. What signature appearing on the Declaration is much larger than the others?
3. What British king was the subject of the Declaration’s scorn?
4. Which two signers of the Declaration would later become president of the United States?
5. In what city did the Continental Congress meet to draft and sign the Declaration?
6. What issue divided the Continental Congress so bitterly that all references to it had to be stricken from the document in order for unanimous adoption to occur?
7. Who was the oldest signer of the Declaration?
8. Who were the two youngest signers?
9. Who was the last surviving signer? (Hint: He died in 1832.)
10. How many eventual states were represented at the Continental Congress that adopted the Declaration?
Some of those questions are quite easy. But I doubt many of you got them all. Let’s see how you did.
The answers are: 1. Thomas Jefferson; 2. John Hancock; 3. King George III; 4. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson; 5. Philadelphia; 6. slavery; 7. Benjamin Franklin; 8. Thomas Lynch Jr. and Edward Rutledge, both of South Carolina. They were 26 years old; 9. Charles Carroll of Maryland. He was 95 when he died; 10. 13.
So, have you found the first seven words of the Declaration on this page? They are the opening line of today’s editorial on this page. “When in the course of human events …”
There is nothing trivial, of course, about the Declaration of Independence and all it stands for, or the people who made it happen. That’s what makes this day so special. I hope you enjoy it.
Max Jones can be reached at (812) 231-4336, or by email at max.jones@tribstar.com.
Max Jones
MAX JONES: What do you know about that founding Declaration?
- Max Jones
-
-
MAX JONES: News dynamics sometimes test an editor’s principles
It has been a long-standing policy at the Tribune-Star not to publish the names of crime victims
-
MAX JONES: Got a question for Lugar-Mourdock debate? Submit it
Hoosier voters, especially those who choose a Republican ballot for the May 8 primary election, face a difficult decision this spring. Longtime U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar faces a spirited re-election challenge from state Treasurer Richard Mourdock for the GOP Senate nomination. The winner advances to a general election showdown in the fall with the presumed Democrat nominee, Rep. Joe Donnelly, and any third-party or independent candidates who qualify to run.
-
MAX JONES: The sun never sets on Indiana’s time-zone debate
When Mitch Daniels aggressively pushed for Indiana to adopt daylight-saving time in his first term as governor, I admit I was not enthusiastic. The state, I figured, had found a way to handle its awkward time-zone geography by merely maintaining the time status quo while states around it changed their clocks twice a year. We peacefully coexisted with that strategy for a couple of decades.
-
MAX JONES: It is amazing what an energized downtown can do
For those of us who’ve watched the inspired growth and development of downtown Indianapolis through the years, it’s hard to understand sometimes the amazement some express at what’s been created.
-
MAX JONES: More changes and challenges, but we’re getting there
As a newspaper lands on your porch each day, or you grab it from a local vendor, the complex manufacturing process that goes into producing it is probably the furthest thing from your mind.
-
MAX JONES: Arranging the pieces so it all makes sense
Putting together a newspaper, with its diverse mix of content, is sort of like assembling a jigsaw puzzle. You just have to keep mixing, matching and playing with the pieces until things begin to look right.
-
MAX JONES: Community newspapers too valuable to go away
These days, rarely a week goes by without someone — a co-worker, a friend, a professional associate, an acquaintance, etc. — asking for my thoughts about the future of the newspaper industry.
-
MAX JONES: Angry emotion yet to rear its head in mayoral race
October has arrived. Five weeks remain before Election Day, and a staple ingredient seems to be missing from Terre Haute’s mayoral campaign season.
-
MAX JONES: Join us as we walk in the shadows of 9/11
The 10th anniversary of 9/11 has sparked renewed interest toward a haunting time in modern history. With all that’s happened the past 10 years related to the terrorist attacks of 2001, it still seems like only yesterday that we all were watching those terrible images of commercial airliners flying into buildings, towers collapsing and grief-stricken people all across America — and the world — mourning the victims.
-
MAX JONES: 9/11 ‘moments’ still vivid 10 years later
With the 10th anniversary of 9/11 approaching, Americans are recalling in vivid detail where they were when they first learned of the terrorist attacks.
-
MAX JONES: Something special — courtesy of your newspaper
Publishing a daily newspaper is our bread and butter here at the Tribune-Star.
-
MAX JONES: Ernie Pyle never ceases bringing pride to Indiana
Once again, Ernie Pyle has made me proud to be a journalist.
-
MAX JONES: What do you know about that founding Declaration?
Of all the national holidays Americans celebrate, July 4th — Independence Day — sports the most essential link to the country’s shared history and ideals.
-
MAX JONES: Ready, action! Video lets us tell even better stories
Those of you who make the Tribune-Star’s online edition part of your reading routine — and there are approximately 40,000 of you each week who do so — have been treated recently to an enhanced feature on our website.
-
MAX JONES: Vigo County played active role in Civil War history
When the Tribune-Star set out to find a way to commemorate Vigo County’s unique role in Civil War history on the 150th anniversary of its beginning, I was concerned it might be difficult to find much information on the subject locally.
-
MAX JONES: Local seminar to shed light on access
Transparency in public information is an important principle for the proper functioning of government at all levels. Vigilance is key in ensuring that public records and meetings remain open and accessible to citizens of our communities.
-
MAX JONES: Readers benefit from new resource
The Tribune-Star’s primary mission is to report news and tell stories that are relevant to our large community of readers, helping them be better informed and more engaged citizens.
-
MAX JONES: Farewell to Stephanie, for a while
The Tribune-Star and its legions of readers throughout the Wabash Valley were extremely fortunate six years ago to welcome back a native daughter.
-
MAX JONES: Friends ready for next big step at Pyle historic site
The campaign to preserve the legacy of World War II journalist Ernie Pyle in his hometown of Dana passed a milestone last week. Indiana’s Natural Resources Commission voted to end the state’s involvement in the Pyle historic site and turn it over to the Friends of Ernie Pyle organization.
-
Max Jones: Taking the pulse of community progress
Terre Haute and Vigo County have been in a period of vibrant change in recent years.
- MAX JONES: Christmas miracles can still happen You don’t have to wander far to find people who remember vividly when downtown Terre Haute was the place to be during the Christmas
- EDITOR'S NOTE: Appearance of corruption a strong incentive for reform Today, and for the following two days, Tribune-Star readers are being treated to a remarkable series of editorials and essays produced by the Indianapolis Star.
- MAX JONES: Tough times call for lots of encouragement The last college and high school classes of the first decade of the 21st century have begun receiving their diplomas . Expectations are high, even as economic times are hard.
-
MAX JONES: Printed newspaper will be here for years to come
Whenever I speak to groups or individuals around the community about the state of the newspaper industry, I often get confused looks when I say that newspaper readership is growing rapidly and has never been higher.
-
MAX JONES: Daniels off the hook on time-zone issue
There was a time in the not-too-distant past when I figured I’d be mad at Mitch Daniels the rest of my life. As one of many, many Hoosiers angered by the change in Indiana’s way of dealing with its time-zone problem, I blamed Gov. Daniels for not leaving well enough alone.
-
MAX JONES: Voters anxious to get news about candidates
Labor Day historically marks the beginning of the fall season for political campaigning. That has been true most years in which elections are conducted. This year, however, such a designation may be greeted will little more than a chuckle.
-
MAX JONES: Voters will be big winners in fall gubernatorial debates
Twice in September and once in October, Indiana voters will have an opportunity to participate in and witness, in person or via electronic media, debates among the state’s three candidates for governor.
-
Editor's Note: A local connection in office of Public Access Counselor
Residents of Vigo County, and readers of the Tribune-Star, have been treated to a good lesson on open government the past few weeks in wake of formal complaints that the Terre Haute Housing Authority violated state laws governing public meetings.
-
EDITOR'S NOTE Sounding the bell for those who hear different drummer
Are there any bagpipers out there? If so, please take a deep breath and step forward.
- Max Jones: Forum will help you get to know spring candidates With the race for the Democratic presidential nomination in full frenzy, you probably don’t need to be reminded that Indiana’s primary election is just over three weeks away.
- More Max Jones Headlines
-
MAX JONES: News dynamics sometimes test an editor’s principles
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Dragon Arrives at Space Station in Historic 1st
Police: Gunman Has Hostages in Realty Office
Passenger Restrained on Flight to Miami Arrested
Beer Here!: An Historic Exhibit
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
Sudden Storm Topples Wisconsin Trees
Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought
Raw Video: Wildfire Burns 110 Square Miles
Raw Video: SpaceX Capsule's Docking Delayed
Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament
Vegas Grocer Deported to Face War Crimes Charges
Time Cover Shows Mom Breastfeeding 3-Year-Old
Kristen Stewart Is Red Hot
Shark Attacks Australian Fishing Boat
Bradley out for playoffs
Kayaker Survives Trip Over Washington Waterfall
Alison Brie Likes To Jog Naked
Heidi Klum Goes Sheer
Alton's Best Burger Ever
Ellie Kemper's Stripper Surprise on 'Ellen'
Maddie the Balancing Dog On Cross-Country Trip
Crawford's Sexy Leather Look
Boys eyes 'removed with spoon'
"Twilight" Stars Caught Kissing
Etan Patz Case: Suspect Arrested
Britney's Hot Pink Mini-Dress
Wrongfully accused rapist exonerated after 5 years in jail
Actress to Play Casey Anthony
Hurricane Forecast: 15 Named Storms Expected
Prince William on The Queen: 'Woman in Man's World'
