Fourth of July: Lessons for Success

This list of "Frederick Douglass' 12 Principles for Success" compiled by actor/ educator Fred Morsell seem especially apropos in regard to "Killing the Jellyfish"... Happy July 4, 2013!

1.   Understand that the proper use of power is to help others.

2.   Give up something you want in order to help someone else.

3.   Learn how to challenge and overcome doubt.

4.   Understand why and how to control the human ego.

5.   Do what is right and proper without delay, even if no one is looking.

6.   Learn how to use knowledge and understanding wisely.

7.   Overcome indecisiveness by developing proper organizational skills.

8.   Make gratitude a part of every thought and action.

9.   Practice the skill of listening before making judgments.

10. Remain true to your word.

11. Practice the art of giving without expecting something in return.

12. Recognize that success is as much a motivation to others as to you.

Land of the free...because of the brave!

Fourth of July Quiz

Put on your thinking cap and take this "Kill the Jellyfish" Fourth of July Quiz...good luck!  The answers are at the end of the quiz.

Grading Scale:  14-15 A    12-13 B    11 C    9-10 D    8  :(   

1. What day did Congress officially declare our independence from the British Empire?

a. July 2, 1776

b. July 4, 1776

c. July 4, 1826

d. December 7, 1941

2. How many people eventually signed the Declaration of Independence?

a. 46

b. 56

c. 66

d. 100

3. Who was the only person to sign the Declaration of Independence on July 4th?

a. George Washington

b. Thomas Jefferson

c. Paul Revere

d. John Hancock

4.  What 2 former presidents died five hours apart on July 4, 1826?

a. George Washington & Thomas Jefferson

b. Thomas Jefferson & John Adams

c. George Washington & John Adams

d. Calvin Coolidge & James Buchanan

5. What year did Congress declare the "Fourth of July" a federal holiday?

a. 1777

b. 1826

c. 1870

d. 1876

6. In 1777, this was declared an official way to celebrate the Fourth of July.

a. Fireworks

b. Eating hot dogs

c. Acting crazy at a family BBQ

d. Parades

7. Who designed the modern 50 star flag after Alaska and Hawaii became states?

a. Abraham Lincoln

b. Betsy Ross

c. Robert Heft

d. Francis Scott Key

8. What classic children's book was published on July 4, 1865?

a. The Adventures of  Huckleberry Finn

b. Alice in Wonderland

c. Little Red Riding Hood

d. Jack and the Bean Stalk

9. What African country shares July 4th (1994) as their Liberation Day?

a. Congo

b. South Africa

c. Rwanda

d. Zimbabwe

10. How many people lived in the 13 colonies in July of 1776?

a. 2.5 million

b. 5 million

c. 10 million

d. 25 million

11. Which professional baseball player hit 2 grand slams in the same game on July 4th?

a. Babe Ruth

b. Jim Tabor

c. Roger Maris

d. Frank Howard

12. What are the first words to the preamble of the Declaration of Independence?

a. No taxation without representation.

b. Just do it.

c. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.

d. With liberty and justice for all.

13. Who gave a famous speech entitled "What to the slave is the Fourth of July?" on July 5, 1852?

a. Frederick Douglass

b. Sojourner Truth

c. Harriet Tubman

d. Abraham Lincoln

14. How many future presidents signed the Declaration of Independence?

a. 1

b. 2

c. 3

d. 4

15. Who was the oldest signer of the Declaration of Independence?

a. George Washington

b. John Hancock

c. Thomas Jefferson

d. Ben Franklin

Answers: 1. a  2. b   3. d   4. b   5. c   6. a   7. c (for a high school assignment- the teacher gave him a B-!) 8. b  9. c  10. a  11. b  12. c  13. a  14. 2  15. d