US Citizenship Test

Name two national holidays.

• April Fool's Day and Labor Day

• Citizenship Day and Columbus Day

• Valentine's Day and President's Day

• Labor Day and Thanksgiving

Answer explanation

National holidays honor special events and important people in American history. Some holidays honor individuals. On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, we honor a man who worked for equality for all Americans. Columbus Day commemorates the day Christopher Columbus arrived in the Americas. Some holidays honor groups of people. Veterans Day and Memorial Day honor people who served in the military and who died for their country. On Labor Day, we celebrate American workers. On Presidents' Day, we honor the work of American presidents. On Thanksgiving and Independence Day we remember important events in U.S. history. Christmas and New Year's Day are national holidays in the winter season. There are also other holidays during this time.

Before he was President, Eisenhower was a general. What war was he in?

• Civil War

• Spanish- American War

• Vietnam War

• World War Two

Answer explanation

President Dwight D. Eisenhower was a general in World War II. He led the United States Army and its allies in western Europe during World War II. When he came home from World War II, he was a famous war hero. He became president in 1953.

When was the Constitution written?

• 1790

• 1776

• 1789

• 1787

Answer explanation

The Constitution was written in 1787. The American army won the War of Independence in 1783. For several years, the United States was governed by a congress of representatives from the states. But in 1787, delegates for the states met in Philadelphia to create a stronger federal government. They wrote the Constitution that gave the framework for the government we have today. The Constitution was written in 1787.

Who did the United States fight in World War II?

• Austria-Hungary, Japan, Germany

• Japan, Germany, Italy

• Japan, China, Vietnam

• Soviet Union, Germany, Itally

Answer explanation

The United States fought Germany, Italy, and Japan in World War II. The United States entered World War II because Japan bombed the United States at Pearl Harbor in 1941. Japan was an ally of Germany and Italy. Together they formed the "Axis powers." The United States and its allies won the war in 1945 against Germany, Italy, and Japan.

Name one state that borders Canada?

• South Dakota

• Rhode Island

• Maine

• Oregon

Answer explanation

There are 13 states that border Canada: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Washington, and Alaska. Canada is the country to the north of the United States. The U.S. border with Canada changed many times in American history. But it has not changed since 1846.

What is the capital of the United States?

• New York, N.Y.

• Boston, M.A.

• Washington D.C.

• Philadelphia, P.A.

Answer explanation

Washington, D.C., is the capital of the United States. In 1800, the federal government moved to Washington, D.C. D.C. stands for District of Columbia. Senators and representatives meet at the Capitol building in Washington, D.C., to make laws. The president lives and works at the White House in Washington, D.C. Supreme Court judges make decisions at the Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C.

What do we call the first ten Amendments to the United States Constitution?

• Articles of Confederation

• Bill of Rights

• Inalienable Rights

• Declaration of Independence

Answer explanation

The first ten amendments to the Constitution are called the Bill of Rights. Members of the Constitutional Convention wrote the Constitution in 1787. The original Constitution did not protect individual rights. Soon after, in 1791, Congress added the first ten amendments to the Constitution. The first amendment protects the freedoms of speech, religion, and assembly. It also protects the freedom of the press, and freedom to petition the government. Other amendments in the Bill of Rights protect the rights to a speedy and public trial, the right to bear arms, and the right to fair police searches.

What does the Judicial Branch do?

• resolve disputes

• review laws

• decide if a law goes against the Constitution

• all of these answers

Answer explanation

The judicial branch reviews laws and explains laws. It resolves disagreements. It also decides if a law is supported by the Constitution, or is constitutional. The Supreme Court and all other federal courts are part of the judicial branch.

What does the Constitution do?

• protects basic rights of Americans

• sets up the government

• defines the government

• all of these answers

Answer explanation

The Constitution creates the federal government. It says how the federal government works. It creates a government where citizens choose senators and representatives to make laws for the country. The Constitution also protects the basic rights of all Americans. People at the Constitutional Convention wrote the Constitution in 1787. It is the oldest constitution in the world still used today.

Why does the flag have 13 stripes?

• because it was considered lucky to have 13 stripes on a flag

• because the stripes represent the number of signatures on the U.S. Constitution

• because the stripes represent the original colonies

• because the stripes represent the members of the Second Continental Congress