E pluribus ignorantia
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Every year -- at least for the last two years -- Marist College in Poughkeepsie issues a 4th of July survey which does nothing to instill pride in America, by virtue of revealing our collective ignorance about U.S. history.
In 2010, for example, we learned that one in four Americans cannot name which country the United States declared its independence from (psst: It was England).
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| USA Residents | ||||
| On July 4th we celebrate Independence Day. From which country did the United States win its independence? | ||||
| Great Britain | Unsure | Other countries mentioned | ||
| Row % | Row % | Row % | ||
| USA Residents | 74% | 20% | 6% | |
| Region | Northeast | 84% | 10% | 6% |
| Midwest | 74% | 21% | 5% | |
| South | 68% | 26% | 6% | |
| West | 75% | 18% | 7% | |
| Household Income | Less than $50,000 | 63% | 30% | 7% |
| $50,000 or more | 86% | 9% | 5% | |
| Race | White | 82% | 13% | 5% |
| Non-white | 56% | 35% | 9% | |
| Age | 18 to 29 | 60% | 33% | 7% |
| 30 to 44 | 75% | 15% | 10% | |
| 45 to 59 | 79% | 17% | 4% | |
| 60 or older | 76% | 19% | 4% | |
| Age | Under 45 | 67% | 24% | 9% |
| 45 or older | 78% | 18% | 4% | |
| Gender | Men | 81% | 12% | 7% |
| Women | 67% | 28% | 5% | |
| July 2010 Marist Poll National Residents " MOE +/- 3%" Totals may not add to 100 due to rounding. | ||||
Having been publicly shamed, respondents didn't get any smarter a year later (last year) when a similar percentage of people remained ignorant on the subject.
This time, Marist also asked what year the Declaration of Independence was
signed
adopted, which, of course, is what July 4th honors.
A little less than half of those surveyed could not name 1776.
We do not have advance information on what question will stump America tomorrow. We can, however, guess the results.
