Eli Siegman

July 7, 2016July 7, 2016

What year was the Declaration of Independence signed? Spoiler alert: 1776.

Even though someone may be a U.S. citizen, that doesn’t always mean they know the complete history of their country.

Some residents and visitors to Washington, D.C. had a tough time answering questions from the citizenship test given to immigrants.

When asked why we celebrate July Fourth Ricky Monroe, 55, said, “Was there a war or something?”

Monroe also did not know what year the Declaration of Independence was signed.

Spoiler alert: 1776.

In order for a foreigner to gain U.S. citizenship, he or she must show an understanding of the English language, speak in English clearly, and demonstrate knowledge of U.S. government and history. Of those who took the test in 2015, 91 percent passed.

Matt Garvey, 65, answered the practice citizenship questions like: name a war fought in the 1900s, where is the Statue of Liberty located or what ocean is on the West Coast. Others included: when was the Constitution written and how many members does the House of Representatives have.

Even though most people interviewed this week found little challenge with the test, when asked the question “what does the 4th of July celebrate” many were unsure.

Megan Kane, 59, said, “Did we sign something?”

July 5, 2016July 5, 2016

District residents and tourists had lots of different plans for July Fourth

People wait for the bus outside the Tenleytown Metro. Photo credit by Eli Siegman.

Residents of and tourists to Northwest Washington, D.C. had different plans for Independence Day but everyone was excited to celebrate the nation’s 240th birthday.

Some viewed it as a day off, while others saw it as an opportunity to make a difference.

Beth Morgan, 53, thinks July 4 is a very important holiday for Americans. She was planning on spending it at home in New Jersey with her family.

“I think a majority of people view it as a day not to go to work,” Morgan said.

Morgan not only believed that it was an important holiday but it was also a fun one. When asked if it was her favorite holiday, she said it was “in her top three.”

Terry Baugh, 55, waited at a Tenleytown bus stop, and when asked about July Fourth her face immediately lit up.

“It’s more exciting here, fabulous neighborhoods,” Baugh said.

Baugh planned to help with a fundraiser for an organization called “KidSave,” which helps pre-teen orphans and those in foster care find mentors or even permanent homes. Baugh said that on the Fourth of July KidSave hosted an event at Arlington National Cemetery that viewed fireworks while it helped raise money for KidSave.

When asked if people in Washington celebrate it differently because they were in the nation’s Capital Baugh said, “People in Washington care a lot about this country.”

July 1, 2016

Nearly five decades of culture on the National Mall

This year's Smithsonian Folklife Festival on the National Mall celebrates Basque culture. Photo by Eli Siegman. — This year’s Smithsonian Folklife Festival on the National Mall celebrates Basque culture. Photo by Eli Siegman.

Hundreds of people gathered Wednesday to celebrate and learn more about the Basque region of France and Spain during the annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival on the National Mall.

Valerie Emerson, 58, visited the market place during Wednesday’s Opening Ceremonies at the Arts and Industries Building to buy products made in that region.

Emerson, who said she comes every year, is devoted to the Smithsonian and the event, which has been an annual tradition since 1967.

“The Folklife Festival is a good way to educate the public about other cultures,” Emerson said.

Outside the Arts and Industries Building, food vendors and dance stages were set up along the National Mall.

Visitors and staff expressed excitement about this year’s festival, which runs through July 4 then begins again July 7 and ends July 10.

Deb Ramsey-Moor, 32, one of the staffers at the market place, has been going to the festival for 22 years and now works there. Moor listed some of the past countries that have been celebrated including Peru, China, Kenya, Scotland, Wales and Bhutan.

“We can learn a great deal from each other,” Ramsey-Moor said.

At Wednesday morning’s opening ceremony, Basque music played, dancers warmed up and people dressed in festive local attire took photographs with strangers and visitors.

Monica Firestone, 30, came to the festival because she studied abroad in college in Spain. Firestone knew a little about Basque, but saw this as an opportunity to learn even more.

“The Folklife Festival is a great tradition in D.C. and the Smithsonian,” Firestone said.