Many of those polled failed to correctly answer basic questions about American independence and the Constitution
Nearly half of Americans don’t know what they’re celebrating on the Fourth of July, according to a shocking poll.
July 4 marks the 250th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, but 46% of Americans and 61% of Gen Zers couldn’t tell you that, the Cato Institute’s national survey found.
Celebrations are taking place across the country this holiday weekend, but many Americans failed to correctly answer basic questions about the history of U.S. independence and the Constitution in the poll of 2,253 Americans aged 18 and older.
For those of you not aware of the fundamental bias in this statement, the CATO institute is a far right think tank funded by the Koch Brothers. They would rather say that America is dumb than admit that american policies are a failure.
In case no one has seen the study, the issue is people don’t know which part of the revolution is tied to independence day, not they are clueless of what is going on.
In multiple choice responses were:
53% Adoption of Declaration of Independance
23% unsure
8% Ratification of Constitution
6% Victory of the Revolutionary War
5% Election of first President
3% Prilgrims landing on Plymouth Rock
1% Founding of Jamestown
Well, I guess you can be glad more than half got it right.
I appreciate the 23% willing to just admit they don’t know, and the 8% are kind of close. That 3% who things pilgrims are why can fuck off, though.
I guess it depends on how you define “kinda close” since the Constitution didn’t start getting drafted until a decade later
I always appreciate it when someone is willing to do the legwork to go to the study and find why the claim is bullshit. It was obvious from some comments in the article that the data was either flawed or made up, and now I don’t have to track down why.
I knew there had to be an issue with the study. I have very little faith in America, but unless they polled 1-year-olds, there’s no way so many people wouldn’t understand what’s it’s at least about, even if not what specifically. Especially after so much 250th birthday advertising.
We will not go quietly into the night. We will not vanish without a fight. We’re going to live on. We’re going to survive. Today, we celebrate our independence day.
– George Washington or something (according to half the country)
- Michael Scott
— Albert Einstein
As others have said, the Cato institute who published this study, is a right-wing think tank and propaganda organization. This study is meant to reinforce conservative circlejerking about the country is going to shit and they are the only True Patriots who can save it.
Would that be the same right-wingers who have been underfunding and attacking public education for decades?
The ones who elected Mister “I love the poorly educated”?
Oh man, I thought they meant Americans felt ambivalent as they wrestled with the promise of the american experiment, held up against the reality of our history and the revealed flaws in our society and system of government. And I was like “yeah, I get it”.
Turns out we’re just dumb, lol
Same. We’re just projecting into the headline. I’m quite ambivalent today.
To be fair, I know what the day marks, but I also don’t know what the fuck were celebrating.
This country is in the shitter, we’re headed for very dark times even if we can defeat the Republicans this year and retake the house and senate.
I don’t give a fuck what the Cato Institute finds. They can shut the fuck up and get back to gargling Newt Gingrich’s balls while he’s still breathing.
The 4th of July is obviously the day when Jesus, Columbus and Superman beat Karl Marx and Hitler! Duh!
While I have read the Declaration of Independence, it was well before President Pedo’s first term, and I don’t have it memorized.
I was making breakfast a few days ago and listening to the History That Doesn’t Suck podcast. For the lead up to the 4th, they read the Declaration of Independence.
Given the opportunity to listen and think about it just then, it was shocking just how many of the offenses the Founding Fathers listed this administration is engaging in.
Of course we do it’s when George Washington took over the airports and rammed the ramparts after Hitler invaded Boston Market and teabagged everyone
Don’t forget when dinosaurs attacked the un
Why is there no source for the poll? This seems like a purposeful oversight.
This year they sem to be celebrating Trump. That’s how stupid the majority of the American people are.
So they will either join or stay away on that basis.What to celebrate, you got to be kidding.
Trump making 2 billion dollars grifting the American people!
No? how about
Women can’t get proper pregnancy care anymore because of big scary abortions!
Not your style, maybe
Trans people have to submit to genital inspections from bigoted conservative males to use the restroom!
Perhaps this
Our greatest ally Isreal is nearly complete with their genocide!
Maybe something more festive for the holidays
The US has blown up over 60 civilian ships murdering countless innocents in celebration of our 250 anniversary!
Trust me, the rest of the world is trying to figure that out too.
Celebrating hamburgers!
