2025 civics test: Symbols and holidays

Questions 119 to 128 of the official 2025 list, with every accepted answer and a short note on each.

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Symbols

Six short questions about the capital, the Statue of Liberty, the flag, the national anthem and the first national motto. The flag answers are easy to confuse: 13 stripes for the 13 original colonies, 50 stars for the 50 states.

1. 119 What is the capital of the United States?

   • Washington, D.C.

   Washington, D.C. is a federal district, not part of any state. Do not confuse it with Washington State.

2. 120 Where is the Statue of Liberty?

   • New York (Harbor)
   • Liberty Island [Also acceptable are New Jersey, near New York City, and on the Hudson (River).]

   The statue, a gift from France, has stood in New York Harbor since 1886.

3. 121 Why does the flag have 13 stripes? 65/20

   • (Because there were) 13 original colonies
   • (Because the stripes) represent the original colonies

   The 13 red and white stripes stand for the 13 original colonies.

4. 122 Why does the flag have 50 stars?

   • (Because there is) one star for each state
   • (Because) each star represents a state
   • (Because there are) 50 states

   A star has been added for each new state. The 50th star, for Hawaii, was added in 1960.

5. 123 What is the name of the national anthem?

   • The Star-Spangled Banner

   Francis Scott Key wrote the words in 1814, during the War of 1812.

6. 124 The Nation’s first motto was “E Pluribus Unum.” What does that mean?

   • Out of many, one
   • We all become one

   The words are Latin. They describe one nation formed from many states and many peoples.

Holidays

Four questions about national holidays. Know the difference between the two days that honour the military: Memorial Day, in late May, remembers those who died in service; Veterans Day, on November 11, honours all who served.

1. 125 What is Independence Day?

   • A holiday to celebrate U.S. independence (from Britain)
   • The country’s birthday

   It is celebrated on July 4, the date the Declaration of Independence was adopted in 1776.

2. 126 Name three national U.S. holidays. 65/20

   • New Year’s Day
   • Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
   • Presidents Day (Washington’s Birthday)
   • Memorial Day
   • Juneteenth
   • Independence Day
   • Labor Day
   • Columbus Day
   • Veterans Day
   • Thanksgiving Day
   • Christmas Day

   This question asks for three. Easy ones to remember are Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

3. 127 What is Memorial Day?

   • A holiday to honor soldiers who died in military service

   Memorial Day is the last Monday in May. It honours those who died while serving in the military.

4. 128 What is Veterans Day?

   • A holiday to honor people in the (U.S.) military
   • A holiday to honor people who have served (in the U.S. military)

   Veterans Day is November 11. It honours everyone who has served in the military, living or dead.

Studying this part

• This part has 10 of the 128 questions, numbers 119 to 128 in the official list.
• This question needs more than one answer: no. 126. Give the number asked for.
• 2 questions here are marked 65/20: no. 121, no. 126. Applicants who qualify for the 65/20 special consideration study only the marked questions.
• Where several answers are listed, one is enough unless the question asks for more. Choose the one you find easiest to say.
• Cover the answers with your hand or use the button below, say your answer aloud, then check.

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Principles of American government All parts of the 2025 list Practice test

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