Do you know the values that you are swearing to uphold when you take the Pledge of Allegiance?

Many Americans say they know the history of their country. According to the first national survey on adult knowledge of the American Revolution’s history, 89 percent of Americans could pass a basic test about their nation’s founding. Only 17 percent of these adults were able to pass the test.

The American Revolution was the decisive factor in securing our nation’s independence. It also established a lasting form of representative government. The American Revolution gave rise to many of the everyday freedoms Americans enjoy without hesitation, including the right to practice any religion or not to worship at ALL.

Americans can only understand the Constitution and Bill of Rights in order to protect them. Dr. Bruce Cole, the president and CEO of The American Revolution Center (a non-partisan, nonprofit organization), says: “Knowledge of the ideas on which our constitutional system is built is essential to maintain the relevance and vibrancy of our government that is of the people, by the people and for the people.”

Most Americans agree that Americans should be able to understand the American Revolution’s history and principles.

The American Revolution Center will build The Museum of the American Revolution in Historic Philadelphia to help future generations recall America’s legacy. It is located just steps from Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. It will be the country’s first national museum to tell the whole story of American Revolution.

“Through The Museum of the American Revolution, we hope to engage rising generations in the ongoing story that is America’s democracy,”Dr. Cole agrees.

You think you could have passed this quiz? You might be surprised by some of the survey results.

* More than 50 percent of Americans wrongly attributed the quote, “From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs”George Washington, Thomas Paine, and President Barack Obama. However, it is actually a quote by Karl Marx, author of “The Communist Manifesto.”

* Sixty percent of Americans can correctly identify the number of children in reality-TV show couple Jon and Kate Gosselin’s household (eight), but more than one-third do not know the century in which the American Revolution took place (the 18th).

* Nearly 50 percent of Americans believe the Civil War, Emancipation Proclamation or War of 1812 occurred before the American Revolution.

Visit this site for more information www.AmericanRevolutionCenter.org.