Was the Declaration signed on July Fourth?
No. Congress adopted the Declaration on July 4, but signing occurred over time.
Department
History
Verified wonders from the history desk.
Did radio help save the Eiffel Tower?
Yes. Its radio and communications value helped justify keeping the tower.
Is the Liberty Bell famous partly because it cracked?
Yes. The Liberty Bell's crack is real and central to its modern appearance.
Is the Library of Congress enormous?
Yes. The Library of Congress describes its collections as containing more than 170 million items.
Is Abraham Lincoln the only U.S. president with a patent?
Yes. Lincoln received a patent in 1849 for a device to lift boats over shoals.
Was the Statue of Liberty originally copper-colored?
Yes. Its copper skin changed color as it developed a green patina.
Did the first Wright brothers flight last under a minute?
Yes. The first successful powered flight on December 17, 1903 lasted 12 seconds.