you might be among those who wonder why americans don't know history. this article shows you some of the answer;

Should college students be required to study the U.S. Constitution in order to graduate?

A bill pending before the North Carolina state Legislature — HB 96 — would mandate just that. Specifically, students seeking to graduate from the University of North Carolina system would be required to fulfill the following proposed requirements:

…Earn three credit hours of instruction in American History or American Government in order to graduate from a constituent institution of The University of North Carolina with a baccalaureate degree or from a community college with an associate degree. In order to satisfy this requirement, the course must meet the following requirements:

• Provide a comprehensive overview of the major events and turning points of American history and government.
• Require each student to read at least the following documents in their entirety:
  1. The Constitution of the United States of America.
  2. The Declaration of Independence.
  3. The Emancipation Proclamation.
  4. At least five essays from the Federalist Papers, as determined by the instructor.
  5. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Letter from Birmingham Jail.
  6. The Gettysburg Address.
• Include a cumulative final exam that makes up at least 20% of the total course grade on the principles, author perspectives, and relevant historic contexts of the required documents.

At first blush, most readers would likely agree with the bill’s purpose: require college students to study key documents from American history. Support for HB 96 would be spurred — undoubtedly — by surveys revealing the shameful level of familiarity with American History among college graduates. 

Recent studies have revealed that college graduates have a shocking lack of knowledge when it comes to U.S. history. In a survey conducted by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni, only 24 percent of college graduates were able to identify correctly one of the foundational principles of the U.S. government, which is the purpose of the Bill of Rights......more........