Memorial Day is... Why don't Americans know their history?

After reading a recent article describing the answers some people gave to questions that are taught at grade school level in the United States, I thought it might be time for a little refresher. Do not get caught on the beach on Memorial Day by a television crew that wants to know if you know the reason you had off work or school for the day. Many respondents had no clue.

To answer the question, millions of Americans have off on Memorial Weekend to honor the fallen men and women of the military who fought so bravely for United States citizens to remain free. It’s an easy enough question, or it should be. That is a refresher to take with you every year on Memorial Weekend.

 There were other questions as well. For instance, what country attacked the United States in Pearl Harbor? Do you know the answer? Yes, it was Japan. That is an action that got the mother of all reaction and catapulted the United States into World War II. Now, who did Americans fight against in the Revolutionary War? That’s right, a lot of people apparently forgot to wait until they saw the whites of their eyes. It was the British and it is what garnered freedom from taxation without representation and that sort of thing. Easy, cheesy, peezy.

Other necessary refreshers include the fact that the north and south of the United States did not fight in the Revolutionary War, that was the Civil War. The Revolutionary War was a few years earlier and we were at war with another country, not each other. Allies of the United States in World War II included countries such as Australia, the USSR, New Zealand, Canada and France. I know there were others, but for the sake of time, I’ll let you look it up. Our allies certainly did not include Japan, Germany, Italy or Hungary who were the axis powers. Allies = Friends… Axis = Enemies.

Memorial Day might be over with this year, but when next year comes around, remember what it is really about and thank a member or the military or two for their service. Take a minute to remember how many people died to keep you safe and maybe understand a little about how this country became so great to start with.