Symbols and Holidays: Civics Test Questions and Answers
2025 civics test · 10 of 128 official questions, with explanations
Symbols and Holidays is the shortest section, with 10 questions, and most applicants find it the easiest. It covers national symbols like the flag, the national anthem, the Statue of Liberty and the nation's first motto, plus the federal holidays and what they honor.
Two answers are often mixed up: Memorial Day honors those who died in military service, while Veterans Day honors everyone who has served. The explanations below point out other easy-to-confuse details.
Practice the 10 Symbols and Holidays questions
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119. What is the capital of the United States?
Answer:
- Washington, D.C.
Why: Washington, D.C. has been the nation’s capital since 1800. The District of Columbia is a federal district, not part of any state.
120. Where is the Statue of Liberty?
Any one of:
- New York (Harbor)
- Liberty Island
Also acceptable are New Jersey, near New York City, and on the Hudson (River).
Why: The Statue of Liberty stands on Liberty Island in New York Harbor. It was a gift from the people of France, dedicated in 1886, and it became a symbol of welcome for immigrants arriving by sea.
121. Why does the flag have 13 stripes? 65/20
Any one of:
- (Because there were) 13 original colonies
- (Because the stripes) represent the original colonies
Why: The flag has 13 stripes, alternating red and white, for the 13 original colonies that became the first states.
122. Why does the flag have 50 stars?
Any one of:
- (Because there is) one star for each state
- (Because) each star represents a state
- (Because there are) 50 states
Why: The flag has 50 stars, one for each state. The current 50-star design has been used since July 4, 1960, after Hawaii became a state.
123. What is the name of the national anthem?
Answer:
- The Star-Spangled Banner
Why: “The Star-Spangled Banner” was written by Francis Scott Key in 1814 after he watched the British bombard Fort McHenry in Baltimore during the War of 1812. It became the national anthem in 1931.
124. The Nation’s first motto was “E Pluribus Unum.” What does that mean?
Any one of:
- Out of many, one
- We all become one
Why: “E Pluribus Unum” is Latin for “out of many, one”: many states and many peoples joined together as one nation. It appears on the Great Seal of the United States and on U.S. coins.
Holidays
125. What is Independence Day?
Any one of:
- A holiday to celebrate U.S. independence (from Britain)
- The country’s birthday
Why: Independence Day, July 4, celebrates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 — the country’s birthday.
126. Name three national U.S. holidays. 65/20
Give any 3:
- 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
Why: There are 11 federal holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Juneteenth, added in 2021, is the newest.
127. What is Memorial Day?
Answer:
- A holiday to honor soldiers who died in military service
Why: Memorial Day, the last Monday in May, honors the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Don’t confuse it with Veterans Day, which honors everyone who has served.
128. What is Veterans Day?
Any one of:
- A holiday to honor people in the (U.S.) military
- A holiday to honor people who have served (in the U.S. military)
Why: Veterans Day, November 11, honors everyone who has served in the U.S. military. The date marks the armistice that ended the fighting in World War I in 1918.
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Start practicing →Questions and answers are from the official USCIS 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version). Explanations are written by CitizenshipBound for study purposes.