There’s going to be a lot of hoopla around town on Monday, July 4th, as most offices are closed and everyone is picnicking, barbecuing and gathering with friends. (Reporters and editors will be working, taking photos, interviewing celebrants … be nice to them, please.)

But do you really want to have some fun on the 4th? Try your hand at a little bit of trivia.

First, let’s start with newspapers. Which newspaper first printed the Declaration of Independence? That’s the Pennsylvania Evening Post, which closed its doors in 1784. This newspaper was started in 1775 by Benjamin Towne.

When did fireworks become associated with the 4th? One year after the signing. Congress chose fireworks as part of its celebration in Philadelphia, which also included bonfires and ringing of city bells.

But was the Declaration actually signed on July 4th? Actually only two people, John Hancock and Charles Thompson, penned their signatures onto the document on the 4th. Most of the signers actually signed on Aug. 2, 1776.

But President John Adams wanted the celebration to be held on the 2nd of July, which was the day the vote in Philadelphia was held by the Second Continental Congress to declare the country’s independence. Why was the celebration changed to the 4th? Because that’s the date when Congress accepted Jefferson’s declaration.

Despite the sometimes rivalry between Adams and Jefferson, their friendship became strong and lifelong. And both of these presidents died on July 4, 1826. One other president, James Monroe, died on July 4 – in 1831.

The celebration was supposed to include everyone in the country, and in 1938 Congress reaffirmed the holiday so that most workers would get paid for the vacation.

How many people did the country include in 1776? About 2.5 million stretched throughout the states. Think about it this way, that’s only 1 million more people than live in Philadelphia right now. The population of the United States right now is 322 million, and we added about 2.4 million people in the last year – about as many people as were in the entire country in 1776. 

If you plan on playing a bit of that ole American game, baseball, on the 4th remember that there has been a 4-0 no-hitter thrown on the 4th. New York Yankees pitcher Dave Righetti threw the no-hitter against the Boston Red Sox on July 4, 1983. 

Once you finish showing off your knowledge, they’ll think you’re a history genius … or a know-it-all. Have fun, and remember that fireworks cannot be lit inside city limits.