Humorist Stan Freeberg performed a hilarious sketch about the 4th of July.  Freeberg played the role of Thomas Jefferson going door to door to get influential people to sign his Declaration of Independence.  His toughest customer was Benjamin Franklin.

In typical Freeberg style, after cajoling and convincing Franklin to sign, Jefferson was set back on his heels by the punchline.  Scratching his signature on the document, Franklin advised Jefferson he'd best hurry and catch the rest of "the guys" to get them to sign.  When Jefferson asked why, Franklin said, "Before they all go away for the 4th of July weekend."

Freeberg and others like him have twisted history just far enough to make us laugh because they KNOW history.  So, this week let's see how much you know about the founding of our nation and other interesting trivia.  The answers are provided at the end, but don't cheat!

Have a happy and safe 4th of July!

JIm Nixon,
The Cleaners

Star Spangled Special

We care deeply about our nation and the freedoms the flag represents.  That's why we're always honored to care for your flag.  Free American flag cleaning is something we take pride in.  Long may it wave!  (This offer has no expiration.  We are always happy to clean your American flag.)

Foothills Cleaners Now Open In Windsor

This has nothing to do with the  4th of July, but we're celebrating the opening of our new store in Windsor.

Foothills Cleaners is located at 1525 Main St., just south of the new Union Colony Bank.

Happy 4th of July!

You probably know more history than you give yourself credit for.  Our heritage as a nation has never been more important or poignant than after last year.  Take our trivia test below and see how you do.  If you don't know all the answers, take the opportunity to learn something new to drop into conversation around the fried chicken and watermelon this week. 

What's Your History IQ?

Keep track of your answers, then follow the instructions at the bottom of the test.  You're bound to learn something you didn't know before, and will probably surprise yourself by what you DO know.

2.  When did the Liberty Bell crack?

1. A year after it arrived
2. The first time it was rung
3. When it was dropped during cleaning

3.  Where did the first fireworks originate?

1. Egypt
2. France
3. China

4.  The 4th of July became a federal holiday in what year?

1. 1941
2. 1776
3. 1864

5.  The first public reading of the Declaration of Independence, July 8, 1776, took place where?

1. Outside the White House
2. In Boston
3. Philadelphia

6.  How many of the signers of the Declaration put their name to the document on the 4th of July, 1776?

1. None of them
2. Exactly half of them
3. All of them

7.  Who wrote the Star Spangled Banner?

1. Betsy Ross
2. Francis Scott Key
3. Benjamin Franklin

1. George III
2. Henry VIII
3. Edward VI

10.  In 1996, what company ran an ad in the New York Times as an April Fool's joke, announcing they had purchased the Liberty Bell?

1. Microsoft
2. Nike
3. Taco Bell

Got your list of answers?  To find out how well you did, click on the picture of the writers of the Declaration above.