You Sure About That?
Let’s be honest—most of us didn’t hang on to every detail from high school history class. Still, there are a few major moments you’d think would stick. And yet, time and time again, certain questions trip people up. These are the ones Americans get wrong the most.
When Was The Declaration Of Independence Signed?
Let’s start out with an easy(ish) one. Every year in the United States, we celebrate Independence Day on July 4. However, July 4, 1776, was not actually the date that the Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence.
That was August 2, 1776. Seems like bureaucracy got in the way, even all the way back then.
John Trumbull, Wikimedia Commons
What Were The Names Of Columbus’s Ships?
Many students in elementary school classes are taught that the names of Christopher Columbus’s three ships were the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria. However, that isn’t entirely true. While the Santa Maria is correct, the Nina and the Pinta were only nicknames for the other ships.
The Santa Clara was Columbus’s second ship, which was owned by a man named Juan Nino. As for the Pinta? The real name is actually not known, but it was nicknamed Pinta, which may have either meant "the painted one"…or came as a joking nickname for a lady of the night.
Historical Society of Old Yarmouth, Picryl
What Was America’s First Capital?
When it comes to the question of the first capital, most people tend to go for Washington, DC. Others will throw out Baltimore or Philadelphia as guesses—both of which make sense, as they were both briefly the capital of the country. Even Lancaster, Pennsylvania had its moment in the sun, as it served as capital for a brief 24 hours.
But the first ever official—that’s the key word here—capital was actually New York City, and it was the site of the very first presidential inauguration.
Johannes Vingboons, Wikimedia Commons
How Many Feet In A Mile?
Why is this America-specific? Well, since the US is one of the only countries in the world that still uses the imperial system instead of the metric system, one would expect Americans to know the measurements that they specifically use. However, the question of how many feet in a mile has definitely stumped a lot of people. That’s probably because it’s such a random number. There are 5,280 feet in a mile.
While it might be a lot easier to measure meters vs kilometers when it comes to that type of distance, I can’t see Americans ever learning about height in any format except feet and inches.
Where Was The Pilgrim’s Landing Place?
When asked this question, most would say that the pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock. But this is actually something of an urban legend. The story proliferated from a misunderstanding. When the pilgrims settled, they named that spot New Plymouth, since they’d sailed from Plymouth, England.
However, they first docked—before Plymouth Rock—at what is now known as Provincetown Harbor.
Internet Archive Book Images, Wikimedia Commons
Who Discovered America?
We’re not sure what they’re teaching in schools nowadays, but many of us growing up were taught that Christopher Columbus was the one to “discover” America—though the story also included the Native tribes who already lived here. However, Columbus wasn’t the only European explorer and “sail the ocean blue”.
There is credible evidence that Leif Erickson, the Viking icon, visited North America all the way back around the year 1000, whereas Columbus first landed in the Bahamas.
Was Pocahontas In Love With John Smith?
Maybe Americans lean a little too heavily on movies and TV to fill in the gaps of their own history—and it shows. Take the story of Pocahontas and John Smith, for example. While they likely did share a meaningful connection, there’s no historical evidence to suggest it was ever romantic, despite how often that version gets retold.
Walt Disney, Pocahontas (1995)
Who Invented The First Car?
While many believe that Henry Ford created the first car, it’s something of a misconception. He did essentially create the American automobile industry, but he didn’t invent the car, per se.
The inventor of the very first car was Karl Benz, namesake of the Mercedes-Benz company. He invented it in 1885 and debuted it to the world at the 1889 World’s Fair. The Ford Model T made its debut in 1908.
Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons
Who Cracked The Liberty Bell?
Many of us may have heard the same story—that the Liberty Bell got its crack when a crew of enthusiastic patriots rang it too hard on July 4, 1776. While it’s a fun story, it’s not actually the truth.
The crack in the Liberty Bell actually came from poor craftsmanship. While it was previously mended, it cracked again in the 19th century and has been that way ever since.
Bev Sykes from Davis, CA, USA, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
How Long Is A Senator’s Term?
While most Americans know how long the president’s term lasts, the same cannot be said for senators. According to a poll, fewer than half of Americans polled knew the answer to this one. While some of the Founding Fathers wanted shorter senate terms, they eventually agreed to a term of six years, and it’s been that long ever since.
United States Congress, Wikimedia Commons
What Is The USA's National Language?
Many Americans believe that English is the US national language. After all…what else would it be? However, that’s not the right answer. The US doesn’t actually have an official language. Though it’s certainly the most prevalent language, the US of A was always intended to be multilingual.
Did The Pilgrims Come Looking For Religious Freedom?
When it comes to the question of why the pilgrims came over to the US in the first place, many believe that they were looking for religious freedom from the Church of England. And while that was a factor, it’s not entirely true. They actually went to Amsterdam to get away from the Church of England, but when they found their families were becoming “too Dutch,” they then made the trip to the Americas.
Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons
What Does "GOP" Stand For?
We all know what it means—the Republican Party—but very few know what the acronym actually stands for. And when it comes to the answer, well…the story varies. It likely came about from the Republicans being nicknamed the “Grand Old Party,” but at other times, it has also been called the “Gallant Old Party,” and, during more dire times, “Get Out and Push”.
Who Sewed The First Flag?
Betsy Ross is often credited with sewing the very first American flag—a story that gained popularity around the country’s centennial, when the young nation was eager for patriotic icons. While she did play an important role in its creation, the reality is a bit less tidy. Ross was likely one of several people involved, making the legend more of a symbol of national pride than a clear-cut historical fact.
Edward Percy Moran, Wikimedia Commons
What Started The Great Chicago Fire?
The Great Chicago Fire was one of the worst disasters of the 19th century. It took the lives of 300 people and left some 100,000 homeless. And for a long time, many people believed that it all started at the home of a woman named Catherine O’Leary, whose cow kicked over a lantern in her barn, sparking the blaze.
However, this story is yet another urban legend. While O’Leary was a real person, there’s no evidence that she or her cow started the fire.
Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons
Who Paid For The Statue Of Liberty?
We aren’t about to shatter anyone’s remembrance of the story of the Statue of Liberty, and how it was a gift from France. That part is definitely true. But they really only sent over the metal sculpture. It needed a base to rest on, and that part was paid for with funds raised by New York.
Acediscovery, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Did Benjamin Franklin Try And Replace The Eagle With A Turkey?
There are quite a few people out there who have heard or believed an old story about Benjamin Franklin writing to his daughter and saying that he didn’t care for the bald eagle as a choice for the US national bird, and instead wished to have the country represented by a turkey.
Well, if you believed it, you’re right, in a way. Franklin did actually write that, but he was joking. So it’s no harm, no fowl—pun intended.
David Martin, Wikimedia Commons
Why Is Chicago Called The Windy City?
If you were to visit Chicago and come away with an understanding that Chicago earned its nickname because of its weather, no one could blame you. After all, the breeze coming off Lake Michigan can get pretty gusty.
However, Chicago earned its nickname because of its high population of boastful, loud, truth-bending politicians—AKA, windbags.
Andrew Horne, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Who Invented The Light Bulb?
There’s a surprising amount of confusion around this one. Some people credit Thomas Edison with inventing the light bulb, while others point to Benjamin Franklin—but neither tells the full story. The earliest version actually came from British scientist Humphry Davy, who created a primitive electric light. The catch? It wasn’t practical—he couldn’t find a material that would glow brightly and last long enough.
The version we recognize today came later, built on multiple breakthroughs. Franklin’s work helped unlock the science of electricity, while Edison refined the design with a durable carbon filament, turning the light bulb into something reliable—and something the world could finally use every day.
Lidija296, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
How Many Original Colonies Were There?
The original US flag was seemingly designed with 13 stripes to represent the 13 colonies. However, there were only actually 12 original colonies that rebelled against the British. While Delaware was cited as its own colony, it was actually part of Pennsylvania, and only became its own colony after independence was declared.
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Lossing, Benson John, Wikimedia Commons
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