Alan Rock's Trivia!

Questions:

1)  On this date in 1776, delegates from the 12 colonies signed the Declaration of independence. On July 3rd and 4th, the delegates did some tweaking to the Declaration then signed it again on the Fourth.  One of the Founding Fathers thought Independence Day should be celebrated on the 2nd, the date when the delegates convened and originally signed the document.

2)  Thurgood Marshall was born on this date in 1908. He was the first African-American to be appointed to this position.

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

4)  In U.S. history: A U.S. president was assassinated on this date - which one?

Answers:

1)  John Adams thought the 2nd was the better choice to commemorate the occasion. He 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."

2)  Thurgood Marshall was the first African-American to serve as a United States Supreme Court Justice.

3)  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."

4)  James Garfield was shot and killed July 2, 1881 by embittered attorney, Charles Guiteau.