By BrainFall Staff - Updated: April 9, 2024
Think you know America inside and out? How about the treasured days those living in the Land of the Free let loose, relax, and (hopefully) have the day off? Throughout the calendar year, there are tons of great American holidays to celebrate! At the least, they can give you a nice and easy day off work. And at the most, these holidays are moments to spend time with family and friends, unwind, and display the best aspects of American culture.
There are loads of federal holidays like Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in January or Independence Day on July Fourth. How well do you know all of the American holidays? Test your knowledge of Uncle Sam’s favorite holidays with this quiz, then celebrate your results!
American Holidays
American holidays are celebrated throughout the year, with events like fireworks, cookouts, religious events, and maybe just a day off of work. The most well-know holidays include Washington's Birthday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Independence Day, and Memorial Day. Most of these federal holidays fall on the same day each year, like the Third Monday in January or the Last Monday in May. Make sure to mark your calendar so you know when the next public holiday is coming up, and when you could be getting holiday pay.
What’s Your American Holidays IQ?
Ever caught yourself wondering just how much you really know about American holidays? Well, that's a piece of cake—or should we say pumpkin pie? We've got just the thing to measure your festive know-how with a sprinkle of chuckles on top.
American holidays come with their quirks, facts, and a whole parade of traditions that can stump even the trivia buffs out there. From costume-clad revelers on Halloween to the grand feasting of Thanksgiving, our holidays are as diverse as they are delightful. Why not put that holiday IQ to the test and find out if you're as savvy as Uncle Sam or if you need a little refresher on your stars and stripes?
Don't just stand there with your sparkler fizzling out—jump right in and take our What's Your American Holidays IQ? quiz at BrainFall. Trust us, it's more fun than a life-sized Fourth of July firework, and you don't even need to wait for a holiday to take it. Ready, set, quiz!
Decoding Federal Festivities
Let's face it, we're all about celebrating, but how much do we really know about our federal holidays? Roll up your sleeves, because we’re about to get festive with facts that might just stump you at the next trivia night.
The Turkey and Tinsel Dynamic Duo
Christmas Eve and Thanksgiving have more in common than just the roasted bird on our dining tables. These days are all about family, great food, and, of course, some last-minute shopping marathons. While Thanksgiving isn’t technically the eve of Christmas, the frequent back-to-back celebrations make them feel like a holiday tag team.
- Independence Day: Does it have the same family vibes? Not so much. It’s more about that sweet taste of freedom and maybe some presidential speeches to remind us why we're setting off those fireworks.
Birthdays for the Big Wigs
It's fair to say we love our leaders, especially when their birthdays mean a day off! Presidents' Day is our official shout-out to the founding fathers, but let’s be real, it's mostly associated with George Washington. It's a chance to appreciate the big wigs who helped shape our nation—plus, there are sales galore!
- Christmas Eve: Do we celebrate presidential birthdays then? Nah, we're too busy tracking Santa!
Labor Day or Lazy Day?
Ah, Labor Day, the ironic twist where we celebrate hard work by doing absolutely nothing. Sounds about right! It marks the unofficial end of summer, flip-flops, and our beloved BBQs until next year. But hey, it's also a nod to the American labor movement—thanks for the long weekends, folks!
- Independence Day vs. Labor Day: Beaches may be a common theme, but the former has us celebrating our country's birthday, while the latter honors every hardworking citizen. And let's be honest, who doesn't love an excuse for a picnic?
Keep these tidbits in your back pocket, and you'll probably ace our “What's Your American Holidays IQ?” like the holiday hero we know you are!
Obscure Observances & Quirky Quizzes
Ever wondered if your celebration savvy is more sparkling than the Fourth of July fireworks? Let's put your holiday knowledge to the test with a series of fun, themed challenges!
How Patriotic Is Your Porch?
Question 1: Is your porch donning the stars and stripes more often than Uncle Sam on a stilts parade? But do you know which Founding Father insisted on the hen, rather than the bald eagle, as a national symbol? We're eyeing you, Benjamin Franklin.
Question 2: And what about Tom and Mary next door, whose porch has turned into an exhibition of every patriotic holiday known to the United States, from Flag Day to V-J Day? Does their year-round salute to World War II victories make you want to march to a Sousa tune, or is it just us?
Mayflower Myths vs. Facts
We've all heard the story of Thanksgiving, but let's sort through the Mayflower fluff:
- Myth: Everyone on the Mayflower was fleeing religious persecution.
- Fact: Many were in it for the New World real estate.
Bonus Fun Fact: You might be surprised to learn that the traditional Thanksgiving Day football game actually goes back only as far as 1934. Tackle that at your next dinner!
Guess Who’s Coming to Thanksgiving Dinner
Auntie's infamous cranberry sauce isn't the only thing to gossip about at Thanksgiving. For instance, did you know that the first Thanksgiving dinner included neither hen nor tom but likely lots of seafood? Surprise your family with that zinger!
And here's one for you, savvy quizzer: If California is the largest producer of Thanksgiving oranges, which state claims the title for pecans? We're nuts just thinking about it.
Got a colleague with an encyclopedic knowledge of holiday laws? Even they may not know that there was a time when Thanksgiving and health commemorations were conflated. Could we hope for a return to those simpler times? Don't bet your White House Easter Egg Roll tickets on it.
Now, if you're tickled by these tantalizing tidbits, and you're itchin' for more holiday hoopla, hustle over to What's Your American Holidays IQ? to crown yourself the king or queen of holiday trivia. We'll meet you there, with bells on!
