It shames me how many people today have no idea what happened on December 7, 1941. Years ago, I remember a conversation with a friend, who was also a college student, and feeling incredulous that this person did not know why that day was important. Admittedly, I am a student of history, and things like this are important to me- but the fact that person well into their college career could be unaware of why Pearl Harbor Day mattered just shocked me.

Now, a dozen years hence, it no longer shocks me when kids don’t know their history. I cringe as I flip through the channels are catch the late night comedians interviewing people on the street. Some of them don’t even know who the vice-president is, let alone a day almost seven decades ago. Who is failing here? Is it our schools? Our culture? Parents? Society’s odd focus on pop culture and being cool? I know most young people- probably even their parents now- could name reality TV stars on sight, but could not tell me who was the president when Pearl Harbor was attacked on that December morning so long ago.

Not in my house. We are having a family night tonight that’s also going to be a history lesson. My kids will know. My kids will know why, how, and why it matters. End rant.