Poll Reveals Americans Don’t Know Much About History
A recent poll revealed 46% of those participating in the survey didn’t know the meaning behind America 250; 53% did.
When Sam Cooke sang “Don’t Know Much About History” in 1960’s "Wonderful World,” he didn't know he was singing about Americans in 2026.
The Cato Institute released a survey this week that revealed nearly half polled said they don’t know what America 250 celebrates.
The country’s semiquincentennial is the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, which occurred July 4, 1776.
The poll consisted of 2,253 Americans. Forty-six percent didn’t know the meaning behind America 250; 53% did.
Out of the Gen Z participants, 61% couldn’t answer the question what America’s 250th anniversary recognizes.
Only 39% of Gen Zers could answer the question correctly, perbthe Cato Institute.
The poll revealed 3% thought the anniversary was of the pilgrims landing on Plymouth Rock; 5% thought America’s 250th anniversary commemorated the country’s first presidential election; 6% thought it marked victory in the Revolutionary War; and 8% said it was the ratification of the Constitution — wasn’t completed by all states until 1790.
Regardless of the lack of knowledge, those polled are proud to be Americans.