Americans are not educated

A new Marist poll shows more examples of people like Sarah Palin and Michele Bachmann. It's very sad and depressing example of Americans that never took the time to learn and be educated in American history. United States history was one of my favorite subjects growing up and remains so today.

Only 58% of residents know that the United States declared its independence in 1776. 26% are unsure, and 16% mentioned another date.

There are age differences on this question. Younger Americans are the least likely to know the correct answer. Only 31% of adults younger than 30 say that 1776 is the year in which the United States broke away from Great Britain. 59% of residents between 30 and 44 report the same. Americans 45 to 59 — 75% — are the age group most likely to have the correct answer. Among those 60 and older, 60% report that 1776 is the year in which the United States declared its independence.

When it comes to gender, men — 65% — are more likely to respond with 1776 than are women — 52%.

And, for the second year, about one in four Americans doesn’t know from which country the United States declared its independence. While 76% correctly cite Great Britain, 19% are unsure, and 5% mention another country.

For many years, while on vacation, not only did we attend a Major League Baseball game but we also visited a historic American site, one that related to presidential historic sites as well.

1996: The Arch
1997: MLK Musuem
1998: I have to think about this one
1999: Philadelphia, Gettysburg
2000: Truman Library and Museum
2001: Boston
2002: Washington, DC, Monticello, Mount Vernon, Fort McHenry
2003: Bill Clinton's birthplace, Sixth Floor Museum
2004: Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential center
2005: Lincoln library and musuem
2006: The place where Roosevelt was inaugurated and Fillmore's grave
2007: Philly x2
2008: I'm not sure
2009: Not sure
2010: Not sure
2011: Polk grave and The Hermitage in a few weeks