this post was submitted on 06 Jul 2026
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Poll: 46% of Americans Unaware of July 4 Meaning (Poll from Cato Institute) (www.verity.news)
submitted 2 weeks ago by FlashMobOfOne@lemmy.world to c/mildlyinteresting@lemmy.world
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A Cato Institute survey of 2,253 Americans, conducted with Morning Consult on June 25-26, found that 46% of respondents couldn't identify what America's 250th anniversary commemorates on July 4th, while 53% correctly linked it to the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

The knowledge gap was most pronounced among Gen Z, with 61% of respondents aged roughly 18 to 26 unable to identify the significance of the anniversary. Only 39% of that age group correctly connected the celebration to the Declaration of Independence.

The survey also revealed broader civic knowledge gaps: 57% of Americans didn't know why the colonies declared independence from Britain, 58% couldn't identify the main purpose of the Constitution, and 55% didn't know the Supreme Court has final say in disputes with the president.

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[–] SnarkoPolo@lemmy.world 18 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

But if course. We can't teach civics! That's not patriotic. The schools need more bible and Ayn Rand, less Jefferson and Voltaire. /s

[–] rumschlumpel@feddit.org 15 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

But not too much bible. Don't give them any ideas about loving thy neighbor and giving to the poor!

[–] tonyn@lemmy.ml 6 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

...or the bits about selling your daughter into slavery.

[–] birdwing@lemmy.blahaj.zone 6 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

I feel like MAGAhats are deep enough in the sinkhole that they'd do anything, even that, for their Daddy Rapist.

[–] rumschlumpel@feddit.org 3 points 2 weeks ago

IDK, treating people and especially women as property seems on brand for these types ...

[–] FerretyFever0@fedia.io 2 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

And don't let them read the nasty bits with the genocides. Or the part where the teenage girls rape their father. Or the part where David kills off a guy to fuck his wife. Or the-

[–] rumschlumpel@feddit.org 2 points 2 weeks ago

The nasty stuff kinda seems like the very reason why they're pushing bible study in the first place ...

[–] UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

We can’t teach civics!

Most people don't spend their lives ingesting and regurgitating PolySci history factoids, such that its fresh in their brains the moment a random pollster bothers them for an answer.

[–] snooggums@piefed.world 1 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

The list of things in the article summary the absolute bare minimum someone who votes should know.

[–] UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world 0 points 2 weeks ago

American Education Brain is thinking the "bare minimum" is regurgitation of trivia factoids as a basis for competency.

"July 4th Meaning" has nothing to do with one's political valence or material conditions.