Alan Rock's Trivia

Questions:

1)  What did President Lyndon Johnson sign into law on July 2, 1964?

2)  On July 2, 1881, which U.S. president was shot and fatally wounded by an assassin?

3)  On July 2, 1776, the delegates from the twelve North American colonies signed the Declaration of Independence to declare themselves the United States of America.  On July 3 and 4, the delegates made a few changes to the document and approved it again on July 4th, the day the United States now celebrates as Independence Day.  However, one of the delegates thought that July 2nd would be remembered in history as Independence Day.  Which founding father stated this belief in a letter to his wife?


Answers:

1)  The Civil Rights Act of 1964.  In the speech he gave prior to signing this act into law, President Johnson said, "We believe that all men are created equal, yet many are denied equal treatment... let us close the springs of racial poison."

2)  President James Garfield was shot by embittered attorney Charles Guiteau in a Washington railroad station.  The President struggled with his health over the next few months, and he ultimately died on September 19, 1881 from an infection and internal hemorrhage.  Garfield served as U.S. President for less than one year.

3)  John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail, "The second day of July 1776 will be the most memorable epochs in the history of America... It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shews, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other from this time forward forever more."