American History

ksturg · #1 08-27-2011, 06:20 PM

Feeling a little nostalgic after having a few cold ones and watching Saving Private Ryan again. Hadn't seen that movie in a long time, great show.

My question is, what % of the American population under the age of 35 knows and understands what the generations before them have gone through?

Just looked up that as of May 2011, 2 million World War II vets were still alive, but that 850 die every day on average. I couldn't help but be cynical and imagine what those guys must think of the country they fought for as they die off?

My wifes grandfather is one of these people, he is 88 years old and widowed. Still chops wood in the winter, has a wood shop where he makes things, and doesn't own a TV. He is absolutely disgusted with society today.

I am 34, but was lucky enough to have a Father who was a history major. Spent several vacations growing up at Jamestown, Gettysburg, etc. Was indifferent to it back then, but now I really appreciate what he was trying to teach.

People I talk to now don't even know what country we fought for our freedom in 1776, what Normandy is, etc, etc. It is disgusting, and a lot of them live on the very government they know nothing about.

We are very lucky people here in the USA, sorry for the rant but had to vent. Any teachers out there, are they still teaching history? I put the % of people under 35 that could pass an American history test at 25%, any other guesses?