Numerous polls and surveys over the past decade bolster the fact that many Americans lack even a basic knowledge about their nation's history. Following are examples from recent polls giving evidence to America's historical amnesia:

An American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA) report released September 16 found that none of the nation's top 50 colleges and universities require students to study American history and only 10% require students to study history at all.

For additional information, check: www.goacta.org

A nationwide survey commissioned by Columbia Law School in May 2002 revealed that an alarming number of voting age Americans have serious misconceptions about the Constitution and Bill of Rights.

Almost a third of all Americans think that the President may suspend the Bill of Rights in wartime.

Question:	In time of war or other declared national emergency, the President may suspend the Constitution's Bill of Rights.
Answer	True:	32%
	False:	60%
	Don't Know	5%

Almost two-thirds think Karl Marx's dogma, "From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs" either was, or may have been, included in the Constitution.

Question:	Does the Constitution include the following statement about the proper role of government: "From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs"?
Answer:	Yes:	35%
	No:	31%
	Don't Know:	34%

For additional information, check: www.law.columbia.edu/news/surveys

The 2001 U.S. History National Assessment of Education Progress results for 12th graders found that 57% scored "below basic" levels. From the 2001 U.S. History National Assessment of Education Progress results for 12th graders:

More than half of high school seniors thought that Italy, Germany, or Japan was a U.S. ally in World War II.

Question:	When the United States entered the Second World War, one of its allies was:
Answer:	A) Germany	18%
	B) Japan	9%
	C) the Soviet Union	48%
	D) Italy	24%

Only 29% could connect the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution to the Vietnam War.

Question:	The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution (1964) was significant because it:
Answer:	A) ended the war in Korea	43%
	B) gave President Johnson the authority to expand the scope of the Vietnam War	29%
	C) was an attempt to take foreign policy power away from the President	15%
	D) allowed China to become a member of the United Nations	13%

More students performed "below basic" on the history test than any other NAEP subject, including math and science. For additional information, check: www.nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/ushistory/results