Once again I’m amazed at your reaction to a very limited observation. I’m sorry you had poor experiences in history classes as relates to the very specific information you brought up, not me. It was taught it in the schools I attended in Tennessee. You are a better judge of history instruction and knowledge in your own area. As to the history knowledge in the general population, there are other reasons people don’t know very specific information including faulty memory, lack of interest, inattention and lack of study. That students did not learn does not necessarily mean that information was not taught or at least assigned. A quick perusal of two popular textbooks on my bookshelves found all the topics you mentioned well cited except perhaps Lincoln’s religion. No other president’s religion gained mention either. That would be a topic more suited to a journal or book specifically about Lincoln than a general course.

I sincerely hope the instructor you mention is not a history instructor or your problem continues.

Quotes from two textbooks chosen at random and one book that was required extra reading are being sent to your e-mail address. Enough.