Once again we are reminded of the national embarrassment that is Americans’ knowledge gap when it comes to history. Most notably, our own. A recent poll by the nonprofit Marist Institute for Public Opinion found that more than a quarter of those surveyed didn’t know that the United States achieved its independence from Britain.
This, of course, should surprise no one. This is merely the latest of innumerable surveys that disconcertingly remind us that history — as well as geography — remain in the forefront of America’s manifest dumbing-down.
Here’s a suggestion, one prompted by recent 4th of July celebrations. Some of which involved setting off cherry bombs after midnight as well as on days that are not actually the 4th of July. If you have pets, you know it’s more than inconsiderate holiday hijinks by the usual suspects.
So how about a user’s test? If you think the first president was Pocahontas or that the United States won its independence from Halliburton, you are ineligible to buy 4th of July fireworks.