PRESIDENTS' DAY QUIZ
How
much do you know about George Washington and Abraham Lincoln whom we
honor on President's Day? See if you learn something after taking this quiz like I did when I put it together.
The statements below apply to either Washington or Lincoln.
The statements below apply to either Washington or Lincoln.
- _____ Stood 6'2” tall.
2. _____ His mother was born in what is now the state of West Virginia.
- _____ Used his hat to carry important papers.
- _____ The first president to wear a beard.
- _____ Had three hoe cakes and tea most mornings for breakfast.
- _____ Introduced the mule to America.
- _____ Had red hair when he was young.
- _____ His formal education was only 18 months.
- _____ He patented a system to alter buoyancy of steamboats.
Bonus: Both Washington and Lincoln were born in February. What days are their birthdays on?
Answers:
Answers:
PRESIDENTS' DAY QUIZ
Answers
1. Washington-- Stood 6'2” tall.
Washington and Lincoln were both tall for their time. Washington stood at 6'2” tall and Lincoln towered at 6'4” tall.
2. Lincoln-- His mother was born in what is now the state of West Virginia.
Lincoln's mother, Nancy Hanks, was born in what is now Mineral
County, WV. She died when he was nine years old. You can visit a replica
of the cabin she was born in as well as a memorial marker there.
3. Lincoln-- Used his hat to carry important papers.
Lincoln's hat was more than a fashion statement. He also used it to
carry important papers. If you want to see one of his top hats, visit
the National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution.
4. Lincoln-- The first president to wear a beard.
The story goes that Lincoln received a letter from an 11 year old New
York girl, Grace Bedell, who suggested that his thin face would look
better with a beard. He grew a beard soon after that. Who knows? It may
have helped him win the election. Other presidents with beards were
Grant, Hayes, Garfield, and Harrison. Truman supposedly grew a beard
while he was on vacation.
5. Washington-- Had three hoe cakes and tea most mornings for breakfast.
Hoe cakes were made from cornmeal and were originally baked on a hoe.
6. Washington-- Introduced the mule to America.
Washington was looking for something that might work better than a
horse for work around the farm. The mule, which is a cross between a
male donkey and a female horse, seemed to fit bill.
7. Washington-- Had red hair when he was young.
Washington had red hair when he was young and contrary to popular
belief, he never wore a wig. However, he did powder his hair which was
fashionable at the time.
8. Lincoln-- His formal education was only 18 months.
Lincoln only went to school a few weeks here and there when he was not
working. However, he always had a book in his hand including when he was
plowing a field.
9. Lincoln-- He patented a system to alter buoyancy of steamboats.
His device was never manufactured, but he is the only US president to hold a patent.
10. Washington-- Had no biological children.
However, he raised two step-children from his wife, Martha, and helped
raise two of his step grandchildren when their father, John, died.
Lincoln was the father of four boys of which only one survived into
adulthood.
Bonus: Both Washington and Lincoln were born in February. What days are their birthdays on?
Lincoln: February 12
Washington: February 22
Sources:
A couple of years ago, we met up with my in-laws (cousins included) and did a lot of Abe Lincoln touring (my in-laws live in Illinois, not too far from Springfield, which is where he was living when he became elected for president). We saw his house in Springfield (along with a very well-done documentary film where they mentioned the little girl suggesting a beard to Lincoln), his tomb, and the re-creation of the town where he lived as a young man. It was a fun way to learn more about him--for my kids as well as for my sometimes easily distracted self. :) We also went to Greenfield Village and Henry Ford Museum in Detroit a few years ago--one of the displays was George Washington's camping kit from the Revolutionary War--hard to imagine living like that for 3 years!
ReplyDeleteYour quiz was fun and I learned some new things. Happy President's Day!
Sounds like a fun trip. My husband grew up around my Mt. Vernon and we have visited there several times as well as several Revolutionary War sites. However, we have not visited many things to do with Lincoln except Gettysburg. When we get to the midwest sometime, we'll have to check out some of the sites you mentioned.
DeleteThis was a fun post. Thanks, I learned something new today!
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it. I'll have to do some more posts like this because it's a good way for me to learn some things also.
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