I Lucked into Being American

Have you ever thought that you’re lucky to be an American?

One of my best friends, Dave McLurg, recently became an American citizen. 

While having dinner last week, Dave told me that taking the U.S. oath of allegiance was one of his proudest moments.

Born in Canada, Dave first visited the U.S. at age 10. While attending a professional baseball game at Tiger Stadium in Detroit, he was overwhelmed with emotion as everyone in the stadium stood, held hands, and together sang our National Anthem. When the song concluded, he decided to become an American. 

Being American through the U.S. Citizenship Test

As dinner progressed, Dave told me about the U.S. citizenship test (he scored 100%). He said the civics portion is given verbally. To pass, you have to answer 6 of 10 questions correctly. They are drawn from a bank of 100 (Google “U.S. Citizenship test“).  

I wondered, could I pass? So the next day I went online and answered all 100. I missed a few. Ugh! Embarrassing. 

It’s 4th of July week so let’s see how you do. I’ve chosen 10 questions from the 100. Not the hardest. 

Get 6 right to pass, 9 right to watch fireworks on the 4th (28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution). Miss more than one and you have to study that night. 

1. The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words?
2. How many amendments does the Constitution have? 
3. We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years? 
4. There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them. 
5. Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
6. When was the Declaration of Independence adopted? 
7. When was the Constitution written? 
8. The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers. 
9. Who was President during World War I?
10. Name one of the two longest rivers in the United States.

See answers below.

Appreciating Being American

I’ve traveled enough to know we have it good. But do I appreciate America the way I should? Probably not. It came easy for me, by birth.  

Many, like Dave, dreamed about it, then worked hard to have it. I lucked into America. 

A simple way to take measure of a country is to look at how many want in… and how many want out.”-Tony Blair

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Answers:

1. We The People
2. Twenty-seven (27)
3. Six (6)
4. Citizens eighteen (18) and older (can vote).  You don’t have to pay (a poll tax) to vote. Any citizen can vote. (Women and men can vote). A male citizen of any race (can vote).
5. (Thomas) Jefferson
6. July 4, 1776
7. 1787
8. (James) Madison,  (Alexander) Hamilton, or  (John) Jay Publius
9. (Woodrow) Wilson
10. Missouri (River) or Mississippi (River)