October 1, 2012
The Game’s Afoot!
“It’s all happening!” as the nation’s Founding Fathers excitedly said to each other at the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Well, maybe they didn’t say exactly that, but I bet they would have if they’d been around for today’s unlocking of the next stage in the Great American History Puzzle. The first puzzle went live this afternoon around 2:00 PM Eastern Time, and the next eight puzzles will trickle out over the coming weeks. I can’t wait until you see what we have planned.
Legions of your fellow treasure hunters are already poring over the first Web puzzle, so don’t get left behind! It’s not too late to dig into the magazine puzzle and sleuth out the password that unlocks the contest website.
Good luck with your hunting–you’re going to need it!
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Is there any way to check an answer besides the website? According to the website, my answer is wrong, but I am not sure if it is me or the fact that I am using a weird computer.
Never mind- I got it: I must be blind!
Puzzle no.1 was not the easiest thing in the world, but I finally got it and the password. When the contest is over, will someone (like yourself) explain the steps taken to arrive at the solution(s)?
Puzzle no.2 looks hard. Do we have to solve it in order to obtain puzzle no. 3? Or can we download all the puzzles as they become available, then solve them in our own sequence? I don’t see this question on the FAQ.
Thanks
Congrats on solving the first puzzle! Though the other puzzles will roll out sequentially over the coming weeks, you don’t have to solve them in any particular order — with the exception of the puzzle in Smithsonian magazine, which has to be solved first, and the last puzzle, which has to be solved last.
And yes, we’ll explain all the answers when The Great American History Puzzle has run its course. Good luck!
– The Puzzle Team
Can we get a small hint for web puzzle 1? How many words in the answer, etc.? Is the answer something to do with U.S. history?
Got it!
Congrats! More puzzles to come…
– The Puzzle Team
To whom it may concern:
Is the contestant allowed to receive help from family/friends or is it supposed to be solely a lone adventure? I ask because I officially entered the contest, but my mom and I were working together on one of the puzzles, and then my dad later guessed the right answer. Afterwards, I wondered if that was actually allowed.
I would really appreciate an answer on this.
Thanks,
Moriah
P.S. I tried to contact the e-mail provided in the FAQ, but it would not go through.
The more the merrier! Remember, the prize for solving all the puzzles is a trip for four to Washington, DC — or cash equivalent up to $10,000. So, working in teams is fine, as long as you are willing to share the winnings…
– The Puzzle Team
Puzzle #1 was a great challenge and I liked the fact that there were several different types of puzzles in arriving at the password…. I felt the “thrill of the hunt” and look forward to the rest of the challenge… good job….
Ken P.
My 7 year old daughter and I have just started the first puzzle today. She’s a brilliant girl, and we are having a great time puzzle solving together. What a great learning tool! Thank you for the opportunity to learn history together. As her dad I may not be smart enough to get us through all of these puzzles, but it sure won’t stop us from trying!!!