Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
One In Four Americans Don't Know Where We Declared Independence From
By
Garth Johnston
Published Jul 1, 2011
Modified Jul 1, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Garth Johnston
Published Jul 1, 2011
Modified Jul 1, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
On Monday America celebrates Independence Day with fireworks and barbecues and beer, but according to a new Marist Poll one in four Americans don't even know what country America declared its independence from. And only 58 percent of residents know that the U.S. broke off in 1776. U.S.A.!
The survey of 1,003 adults was taken earlier this month and found that younger Americans were the least likely to know when America broke away from Great Britain. Only 31 percent of adults younger than 30 said 1776 when asked while 59 percent of residents between 30 and 44 got the question right. Americans 45 to 59 were most likely to know the year, with 75 percent getting it right. 65 percent of men got the answer right while only 52 percent of women did.
Meanwhile somehow the fact that nine percent of college graduates were not sure what country America declared independence from while two percent mentioned countries other than Great Britain is what disturbed us the most. You can see a full breakdown of the survey here [PDF].
Tagged
independence day
july 4th
marist poll
stupid americans
Garth Johnston
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Mamdani says he's 'confident' NYC will collect $500 million with pied-à-terre tax
The city’s Department of Finance granted more than 8,800 of the roughly 11,000 exemption applications.
By
Elizabeth Kim
and
David Brand
Published Oct 29, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. ET
Who is enforcing the MTA’s $3 bus fare? For the moment, no one.
The MTA has suspended its fare enforcement unit after a series of confrontations with riders. The NYPD said it won't step in to ensure riders pay.
By
Clayton Guse
and
Ramsey Khalifeh
News
Who is enforcing the MTA’s $3 bus fare? For the moment, no one.
The MTA has suspended its fare enforcement unit after a series of confrontations with riders. The NYPD said it won't step in to ensure riders pay.
By
Clayton Guse
and
Ramsey Khalifeh
15-year-old boy shot and killed Thursday morning in the Bronx, NYPD says
By
Charles Lane
How NYC voters could determine outcome of race for governor
By
Jon Campbell
Early Addition: Is the Cheesecake Factory vs. the Amtrak buttercake our new culture war?
By
James Ramsay
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .