Nearly Half of Americans Don’t Know What the Country Is Celebrating on July 4

On this historic anniversary for the country, Americans aren’t lacking in pride but might need a grammar school refresher on U.S. history.A new survey finds that nearly half of Americans don’t know what America’s 250th anniversary commemorates. The libertarian Cato Institute found only 53 percent could correctly answer that it was the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.The numbers were worse among younger Americans. Only 39 percent of the Gen Z generation could correctly identify the reason for this year’s celebration. 11 percent of Gen Z thought it was to mark the election of the first president. A few respondents thought it was to mark the founding of Jamestown or the pilgrims’ landing at Plymouth Rock.The survey found that even if a lot of Americans don’t know the reason behind the celebration, most have an overwhelmingly favorable view of the country and of what the Declaration of Independence made possible. Nearly 9 in 10 of Americans are “grateful” to be Americans, and 79% are “proud” to be Americans. Nearly two-thirds believe America is the “land of opportunity,” and three-quarters believe the American Dream is available to them.Young Americans, though, were much less likely than older Americans to have strongly positive views of America’s founding. Respondents aged 18-29 lagged far behind Americans over 65 in positive feelings.Only 49 percent of Gen Z agreed that the Founding Fathers were “courageous leaders who risked their lives and possessions to secure independence and liberty,” while 89 percent of seniors agreed.The survey showed a lack of civic knowledge on basic governance questions. More than half of respondents couldn’t identify the main purpose of the Constitution and a majority also don’t know the reason colonists declared independence from Great Britain.The respondents did value American freedoms with freedom of speech topping the list. The right to vote for American leaders, equal protections, and freedom of religion also rated as high in importance.Among the top worries were threats to freedom, corruption, politicians ignoring the Constitution, and the rich having too much power topped the list.

Nearly Half of Americans Don’t Know What the Country Is Celebrating on July 4

More from the New York Sun

Signing LeBron James Guarantees His Next City a Massive Economic Boon

AOC Gives Much-Coveted Endorsement to Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan Senate Race

Luna Doubles Down, Promising To Keep House Floor Shuttered Until SAVE America Act Attached to Must-Pass Bill

More from the New York Sun

Signing LeBron James Guarantees His Next City a Massive Economic Boon

AOC Gives Much-Coveted Endorsement to Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan Senate Race

Luna Doubles Down, Promising To Keep House Floor Shuttered Until SAVE America Act Attached to Must-Pass Bill

Trump Administration Seeks To End 50-Year Ban on Supersonic Flights Over America

Bite of Capital Gains Taxes Can Be Eased, as Greenspan Foresaw, by Adjusting for Inflation

Supreme Court Ignores the Animus Behind Move To End Protected Status for Haitians

‘Young Washington’ Is a Decent, Old-School Cinematic Throwback

Rhode Island Implements ‘Taylor Swift Tax’ Ahead of Superstar’s Rumored July 4 Nuptials With Travis Kelce