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.

  • baines@lemmy.cafe
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    14 hours ago

    and some of us know exactly what july 4th 1894 means

    eat shit shocking poll, it’s an excuse to spend time with family the rest of it never meant a damn thing unless you’re a rich white land owner

  • quick_snail@feddit.nl
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    15 hours ago

    Only 61 percent correctly identified Great Britain as the nation from which the 13 colonies declared independence 250 years ago

    Was “Britain” and “United Kingdom” options? Because it’s more understandable if those were options to choose from.

    • jaek@aussie.zone
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      12 hours ago

      Only 61 percent correctly identified Great Britain as the nation from which the 13 colonies declared independence 250 years ago. Overall, 40 percent answered incorrectly, with 25 percent admitting they were not sure, and others guessing Europe (4 percent), Canada (3 percent), France (4 percent), Spain (2 percent), and Germany (2 percent).

      From tfa

  • Lucidlethargy@sh.itjust.works
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    23 hours ago

    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.

    • Sabata@ani.social
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      15 hours ago

      I use to buy fireworks and get excited, then I got old enough to learn we’re the bad guys in the shit hole country just like everyone we’re paying to blow up.

  • Dunning Kruger@lemmy.world
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    23 hours ago

    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.

    • kent_eh@lemmy.ca
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      22 hours ago

      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”?

  • Doomsider@lemmy.world
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    24 hours ago

    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 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!

  • chuckleslord@lemmy.world
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    24 hours ago

    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.

  • NABDad@lemmy.world
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    1 day ago

    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.

  • Duckingold@lemmy.world
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    1 day ago

    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

    • uberfreeza@lemmy.world
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      24 hours ago

      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.

    • taiyang@lemmy.world
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      1 day ago

      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.

        • mushroommunk@lemmy.today
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          23 hours ago

          Except if your read the actual survey questions they don’t ask about the 4th. They ask what “America’s 250th anniversary celebration” is about. And any of the answers is valid then

    • Ava@piefed.blahaj.zone
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      1 day ago

      It’s worse, they didn’t actually ask about the 4th.

      “To the best of your knowledge, which of the following best describes what America’s 250th anniversary commemorates?”

      Yeah the 4th is the day, but plenty of people might reasonably be less certain given the options listed and the fact that the anniversary has been talked about in general terms in the media for weeks.