I hear you, Bob! Here's a couple of figures from a study just released a few days ago:
A nationwide (USA) phone survey of 1,020 youngsters ages 12 to 17 was conducted may 31 to June 5 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.
One in 10 did not know that George Washington was the first president.
17 percent did not know there were 13 original colonies.
15 percent did not know the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776!!!
Nearly one in 4 did not know who fought in the Civil War!!!
And 13 percent thought it was the United States and Britain!
One in 5 did not know the answer to the question, "From what country did America declare its independence?"
22 percent did not know the answer is England. 14 percent thought it was France! 
The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation commissioned the survey, and its president, Colin Campbell observed, "When you look at these numbers, it means that more than 5 million U.S. teenagers don't understand the true meaning of Independence Day."
Okay, all you Brits on the board, go ahead and have a field day with this one...I guess we deserve it!
