Independence Day celebrates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain. This joyous day is celebrated across the United States with parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, family reunions, political speeches, and fireworks. To add some extra fun to your Independence Day celebrations, here are 109 riddles about this star-spangled holiday along with their answers.
Riddles about Independence Day
History Riddles
1. I am a famous document that declared the 13 American colonies free from British rule. What am I? The Declaration of Independence
2. I am a Pennsylvania bell that was rung when the Declaration of Independence was adopted. What am I? The Liberty Bell
3. I was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence. Who am I? Thomas Jefferson
4. We were the original 13 British colonies that declared independence in 1776. Who are we? Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Virginia
5. I am a famous quotation from the Declaration of Independence starting with “We hold these truths…”. What am I? “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal”
Government and Politics Riddles
6. I am the political philosophy that influenced American revolutionaries. What am I? Liberalism
7. I was an American patriot who famously dumped tea into Boston Harbor to protest British taxes. Who am I? Paul Revere
8. I am the first President of the United States. Who am I? George Washington
9. I am the form of government adopted by the United States. What am I? Democracy
10. I wrote Common Sense, a pamphlet advocating independence from Britain. Who am I? Thomas Paine
War and Military Riddles
11. I was a decisive American victory over the British in New York early in the Revolutionary War. What am I? Battle of Saratoga
12. We were citizen soldiers who fought against the British during the American Revolution. Who are we? Minutemen
13. I commanded the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. Who am I? George Washington
14. I crossed the Delaware River on Christmas night 1776 before a decisive American victory. Who am I? George Washington
15. We were American rebels who dumped British tea into Boston Harbor in protest of British taxes. Who are we? Sons of Liberty
People and Culture Riddles
16. I sewed the first American flag. Who am I? Betsy Ross
17. I wrote the lyrics to “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Who am I? Francis Scott Key
18. We are the colors of the American flag. What are we? Red, white, and blue
19. I am considered a symbol of American independence. What am I? The bald eagle
20. I was an African American poet who wrote about civil rights and freedom. Who am I? Phyllis Wheatley
Geography Riddles
21. I am the city where the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776. What am I? Philadelphia
22. I am the state where the Battles of Lexington and Concord were fought, starting the Revolutionary War. What am I? Massachusetts
23. I am the capital city of the United States today. What am I? Washington D.C.
24. I am the original capital of the United States from 1790 to 1800. What am I? Philadelphia
25. I am the river George Washington crossed in 1776 before the Battle of Trenton. What am I? Delaware River
Symbols and Icons Riddles
26. I am a giant wooden statue of a Revolutionary War soldier in Rhode Island. What am I? Nathanael Greene statue
27. I am a broken chain that symbolizes America’s freedom. What am I? A broken chain
28. I am a patriotic mythical bird on the Great Seal of the United States. What am I? A bald eagle
29. I am a patriotic song also known as “The Defense of Fort M’Henry.” What am I? “The Star-Spangled Banner”
30. I am a patriotic slogan meaning “out of many, one.” What am I? “E pluribus unum”
Objects Riddles
31. I am a copper statue that stood atop the U.S. Capitol dome. What am I? Statue of Freedom
32. I am a torch that symbolizes enlightenment and freedom. What am I? The Statue of Liberty torch
33. I am a patriotic flag with 13 red and white stripes. What am I? The American flag
34. I am a Pennsylvania bell cracked while ringing for independence. What am I? The Liberty Bell
35. I am a patriotic symbol carved by American Indians after a Revolutionary War victory. What am I? The Totem Pole of Honor
Wordplay and Language Riddles
36. My first word is the opposite of dependent. My second word means the same as free. What am I? Independence Day
37. Rhymes with “lie, cheat on me.” Liberty
38. Sounds like “quill pen is mighty.” Independence
39. Take away the last three letters from me and you are left with the number 1776. What am I? Seventeen seventy-six
40. I am another name for the Declaration of Independence. What am I? The Unanimous Declaration
Math and Number Riddles
41. I am the number of original colonies that declared independence. Who am I? Thirteen
42. I am the number of stripes on the American flag. What am I? Thirteen
43. Multiply me by 2, then add 4 more to get the year independence was declared. Who am I? 1776
44. The sum of my digits is 1776. Who am I? 1776
45. Take away CC from MDCCLXXVI to get the year of American independence. What year is it? 1776
Science Riddles
46. I am the inventor of the lightning rod, who assisted the American revolutionaries. Who am I? Benjamin Franklin
47. I am the American scientist famous for the story of a kite and key. Who am I? Benjamin Franklin
48. I am the Hungarian scientist who supported American independence. Who am I? Francis Salvius
49. I am the science that made revolutionary era maps and surveys possible. What am I? Cartography
50. I am the inventor of the steamboat, born in the American colonies. Who am I? John Fitch
Food and Cooking Riddles
51. I am a cold, sweet, red and blue colored treat served on the Fourth of July. What am I? Popsicle
52. I am grilled over coals and served with condiments on July 4th. What am I? Hot dog
53. I am a berry baked into desserts and pancakes on Independence Day. What am I? Blueberry
54. Take away the first and last letters of me to get a July 4th side dish. What am I? Potato Salad
55. I am a red, white, and blue colored gelatin dessert. What am I? Jell-O
Entertainment Riddles
56. I am a rockets display celebrating July 4th. What am I? Fireworks
57. I am a speech or address given on Independence Day. What am I? Fourth of July Oration
58. I am a song performed at patriotic July 4th concerts. What am I? “Stars and Stripes Forever”
59. I am a summer event with games, rides, and contests on the Fourth of July. What am I? Carnival
60. I am a giant balloon display at Independence Day parades. What am I? Balloon arch
Literature and Media Riddles
61. I am a book by Howard Fast about the American Revolution. What am I? “April Morning”
62. I am a biography about the American Founding Father Benjamin Franklin. What am I? “Benjamin Franklin: An American Life”
63. I am a musical about the American Revolution and Declaration of Independence. What am I? “1776”
64. I am a PBS mini-series about founding father John Adams. What am I? “John Adams”
65. I am a movie with Mel Gibson about colonial freedom fighter Benjamin Martin. What am I? “The Patriot”
American Symbols Riddles
66. I am a patriotic mythical bird symbolizing American independence. What am I? Bald eagle
67. I am a female figure representing the United States. What am I? Statue of Liberty
68. I am a patriotic slogan meaning “out of many, one.” What am I? E pluribus unum
69. I am a liberty symbol cracked while ringing for independence. What am I? The Liberty Bell
70. I am a flag showing 13 red and white stripes for the original colonies. What am I? The Star Spangled Banner
Revolutionary Leaders Riddles
71. I wrote the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Who am I? Thomas Jefferson
72. I was the commander of the Continental Army. Who am I? George Washington
73. I dumped tea into Boston Harbor to protest British taxes. Who am I? Samuel Adams
74. I was a silversmith whowarned patriots about the British before the Battles of Lexington and Concord. Who am I? Paul Revere
75. I sewed the first American flag. Who am I? Betsy Ross
Places and Locations Riddles
76. I am the Pennsylvania city where the Declaration of Independence was signed. What am I? Philadelphia
77. I am the Massachusetts city where the Battles of Lexington and Concord began the Revolutionary War. What am I? Boston
78. I am the Virginian plantation where Thomas Jefferson lived when he wrote the Declaration of Independence. What am I? Monticello
79. I am the river George Washington crossed before his victory at Trenton. What am I? Delaware River
80. I am the current U.S. capital city named after George Washington. What am I? Washington D.C.
Battles and Wars Riddles
81. I was an early American victory over the British at Saratoga, New York. What am I? Battle of Saratoga
82. I happened in Boston Harbor as rebels dumped tea overboard to protest British taxes. What am I? Boston Tea Party
83. I was George Washington’s daring Christmas 1776 crossing of the Delaware before defeating the Hessians. What am I? Crossing of the Delaware
84. I was the first battle of the Revolutionary War in Massachusetts. What am I? Battles of Lexington and Concord
85. I was the last major battle of the Revolutionary War. What am I? Siege of Yorktown
Independence Day Traditions
86. I am a patriotic display of red, white and blue lit in the sky. What am I? Fireworks
87. I am family gatherings with parades and barbecues on the Fourth of July. What am I? Independence Day celebrations
88. I am a baseball game played on July 4th. What am I? Patriots vs. Phillies
89. I am a speech praising America’s independence and history. What am I? Fourth of July oration
90. I am a song celebrating freedom and patriotism. What am I? “Yankee Doodle Dandy”
Patriotic Symbols Riddles
91. Thirteen of me represent the first states that founded America. What am I? Stripes
92. I have fifty stars symbolizing America’s fifty states. What am I? American flag
93. I am a female figure robed in green holding a torch. What am I? Statue of Liberty
94. I am a banner with red and white stripes and white stars on a blue field. What am I? The Star Spangled Banner
95. I am a cracked historic bell that represents American independence. What am I? Liberty Bell
Famous Revolutionaries
96. I wrote the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Who am I? Thomas Jefferson
97. I led the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. Who am I? George Washington
98. I warned “The British are coming!” before the Battles of Lexington and Concord. Who am I? Paul Revere
99. I sewed the first American flag. Who am I? Betsy Ross
100. I wrote Common Sense, advocating American independence. Who am I? Thomas Paine
Revolutionary History
101. I declared the 13 American colonies independent from Britain in 1776. What am I? The Declaration of Independence
102. I was the first President of the United States, serving from 1789 to 1797. Who am I? George Washington
103. I happened in Boston Harbor in 1773, protesting British tea taxes. What am I? Boston Tea Party
104. I am the political philosophy that influenced American revolutionaries. What am I? Liberalism
105. I was Thomas Jefferson’s Virginia plantation where he wrote the Declaration of Independence. What am I? Monticello
Numbers and Dates
106. The two digits in me represent the year 1776, when America declared independence. What am I? 76
107. Add 32 to me to get the year the Declaration of Independence was signed. What number am I? 1744
108. Multiply me by 2 and then add 4 to get 1776. What number am I? 886
109. The sum of my digits is 1+7+7+6=21. What year am I? 1776
Conclusion
Independence Day is rich with history, tradition, and fun. These 109 riddles cover a wide range of topics related to July 4th, from the American Revolution to symbols, food, and celebrations. Learning about America’s revolutionary origins and independence through these riddles is a great way to honor the spirit of the holiday. So share some of these riddles at the next Fourth of July event and see just how much your friends and family know about Independence Day!
