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 the 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:
This post is a blast from the past and originally appeared here February 20, 2012
Hmm, got the first and the third one wrong. My in-laws live in Illinois so we have been to many of the Lincoln attractions there; I saw a video where they said that a little girl suggested he wear a beard. Fun to learn a little more about history.
ReplyDeleteBoth Lincoln and Washington must have towered over everyone at the time. I have seen some of these things either at Mt. Vernon or at the Smithsonian. The only time I've been to Illinois is through O'hare. I'll have to make it a destination sometime.
ReplyDeleteThat was fun! I didn't know #5 and #9 and guessed them wrong!
ReplyDeleteThose facts were a little more obscure, but I first remember reading them in a kid's book.
DeleteThat was a fun quiz. I especially loved learning about the patent. Had no clue on that one.
ReplyDeleteLincoln was definitely a mulit-talented man.
DeleteFascinating! Thank you for all that information!
ReplyDelete