An article...

Just to show that there are people who know nothing *everywhere* not just in certain countries


UNDER 25s ARE D-DAY DUNCES

Jun 1 2004


EXCLUSIVE

By Damien Fletcher And Jon Kelly


BRITAIN is a nation of D-Day dunces, a Mirror survey reveals.

We asked 1,000 under 25s across the country what they knew about the Allied invasion of France in 1944 - and found astonishing ignorance despite massive TV, radio and newspaper coverage of this week's 60th anniversary.

Seventy-three per cent did not know what it was, when it happened or who was involved.

Only six per cent correctly answered all seven questions shown on the left.

Christina Thomas, 16, of East London, said: "D-Day stands for Doomsday doesn't it?"

Asked which world war it happened in Simone Marshall, 19, of North London, said: "Was it in Iraq?"

Sarah Gentry, 15, of Bromley, Kent, thought John Kennedy was the American president. Peter Murray, 17, of Liverpool, said: "Our Prime Minister was Tony Blair's granddad."

Tim Whitehouse, 16, of Kingstanding, Birmingham, summed up many youngsters' apathy: "It's not important though, is it. It's past so there is no need to keep remembering it."

Joss Mark, 80, president of Carlisle branch of the Normandy Veterans Association, said: "I'm shocked - they should be teaching this in history."

Joe Lindon, 80, who worked as a gunner on a mine-clearing tank on D-day, said: "In France it's part of the curriculum to take them to the beach to see what happened."

Nick Seaton from the Campaign for Real Education said: "I'm horrified."

The Department for Education said: "The Second World War is part of the national curriculum, which means children should all study it."


__________

TEST YOUR 1944 KNOWLEDGE

HERE are the questions, and the correct answers:

1. What is D-Day?

ANSWER: Day of the Allied invasion of France.

DUNCE: David Butler, a 20-year-old admin worker from Blackpool, said: "Is it something to do with Denomination Day? I really haven't got a clue."

2. When was D-Day?

ANSWER: 6 June 1944.

DUNCE: Alexia Lange, a 20-year-old student from Bournemouth, Dorset, said: "I'm sure it happened in the 60s. The precise year would be 1962, I think."

3. Where did it happen?

ANSWER: The beaches of Normandy, France.

DUNCE: Robert Johnson, 20, from Grays, Essex, said: "I'm sure it was Japan but I don't know any more than that."

4. Who was British Prime Minister at the time?

ANSWER: Sir Winston Churchill.

DUNCE: Dilip Rajah, a 20-year-old university student from Lewisham, South East London: "Was it Tony Blair? I really don't know, mate."

5. Who was the President of America at the time?

ANSWER: Franklin D. Roosevelt.

DUNCE: Michael Fitzsimons, 15, of Jarrow, Tyne and Wear, said: "It was the man who could not chop down the tree." (presumably referring to George Washington, first President of the US)

6. Who the leader of Germany at the time?

ANSWER: Adolf Hitler.

DUNCE: Hannah Gray, a 24-year-old advertising executive, said: "Was it a king? I don't know. Can I phone a friend?"

7. During which world war did D-Day happen?

ANSWER: World War II.

DUNCE: Natasha Mitchell, a 19-year-old helpdesk worker from South London, said: "Was it World War I? This is really embarrassing."

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/allnews...name_page.html

OMG, you've got to be kidding.

that is truely sad.

I read in the US Papers that only 28% of Americans know what Memorial Day is about.

It's a shame that some have seem to have forgotten the sacrifices that have been made for their country
Makes one wonder what they are teaching in the schools nowadays.

OK well first off they surveyed 1,000 people, and then think it is a fair representation of the millions of people in the country, which it is not.

Now to be honest I don't know much about D-Day, but that's becuase I don't care much for learning about history. It was perpahs the only subject at school that I didn't revise for or didn't get good grades in because I didn't enjoy it.

Now I don't mean to be disrespectful to all the people who gave their lives during the war, but they didn't have a choice. They where forced to go to war, so even though many gave their lives many probably wouldn't have gone given a choice. This is why I don't understand the need to remember it every year, and specifically I would have thought that those involved would like to do their best to forget it, seeing people they knew killed etc.

Well I suppose they could have just laid down and been killed, or lived under the rule of the most evil man ever to grace this planet. Then you wouldn't have to remember it every year.....

They helped to make your country what it is today, hence the reason why they should be remembered. Of course if given a choice to live or die, most people would choose to live. They didn't have a choice though, and they died for you to enjoy the freedom that you have today. I don't think taking one day out of your life to remember is too much to ask.

Britain is full of idiots. No...wait...those generalizations are usually reserved for Americans. The same size polls have been used to ridicule Americans. Why is it different for everyone else?

I think they do teach all this in school.
Fact is less and less kids every year seem to care.
and I don't think I am to far from that.
I mostly used to memorize stuff and it wass kinda strnge because and specifically in History class after I took the exam I couln't remember half the questions I answered correctly!!!
On uni it's a bit diferent, I have to care more or i get a bad grade if I don't elaborate more on any given topic.

But anyway that's what I think.

Don't want to disturb things or anything but I'm finding it very funny that those who usually criticise some others for similar things are keeping mum on this

Hehehe..