“When in the course of human events it becomes necessary”...to try the counterparts of St. Tammany Parish regarding their knowledge of the birth of the U.S.

What better time to administer this task than during the actual birthday of our nation’s independence.

The July 4 holiday is not only about family get-togethers and barbecues, it represents the birth of our country and our independence. The history behind the holiday is as important as congregating with loved ones.

(Use arrows above to view more photos)

Therefore, the St. Tammany News selected six general, but important, multiple-choice questions directly and indirectly relating to the Declaration of Independence in an unscientific quiz for the public.

Six individual people or group of people were tested from across the parish with nearly uniform results.

Beginning with the first question we asked participants what were the first words of the Declaration of Independence.

Thomas Jefferson, principal author of the document, wrote the famous first words, “When in the course of human events…” in 1776 after he was elected to write the draft as a member of the five-person committee formed by the Second Continental Congress to create a document declaring their severance from the British Crown.

Only one out of the six individuals asked missed the first question.

Also, only one person missed question four which asked where the Declaration was signed.

The second question asled who had the largest signature on the document.

Of course it was John Hancock, president of the Second Continental Congress, but speculations continue to this day as to why he made such a bold move to make his signature so large when, if the revolution had been lost, it would have meant certain death for him and the other 55 signers.

Only two people missed that question.

The third question asked participants to finish the line, “…life, liberty and the pursuit of blank. Everyone questioned answered correctly with “happiness.”

The last two questions dealt with famous women of the country.

The Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island, given to the U.S. from France in October of 1886, holds a torch in her right hand and a tablet in her left that measures 23 feet tall by 13 feet wide.

The six people polled were asked to state what inscription is listed on the tablet. JULY IV MDCCLXXVI or July 4, 1776 is listed on the tablet, but this question proved the toughest with only one person answering it correctly.

Only one person missed the final question regarding the creator of the first American Flag, which was sewn by Betsy Ross and adopted as the national flag on June 14, 1777.

Overall, St. Tammany faired well earning a total 26 correct answers out of a possible 36.

Now go enjoy that hotdog or hamburger.