Poll Reveals Americans Don’t Know Much About History

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.

This includes 86% who said they were grateful to be Americans; 79% called themselves proud; and 74% said they felt the American Dream was available to them.

Earlier this week, a Marist University poll found Republicans were more likely to identify themselves as proud to be Americans.

In that survey, 93% of Republicans said they were proud. Only 45% of Democrats identified themselves as “very proud” or “proud” and 61% of Independents said they were proud.

Saturday’s July 4th celebrations will include a rally in Washington, D.C., where President Donald Trump vowed to “make a really long speech” as the high temperature is expected to reach 107 degrees.

“This week, we look back on 250 years of glorious freedom, and we took so much time and so much effort, and by the way, on July 4, it’s going to be approximately 107° out. I’m going to go, and I’m going to make a really long speech,” Trump said.“Just to show that I can do anything.”