More than 3-in-4 Americans agree that honoring the Founding Fathers, even though they were wrong about slavery, is essential to unifying a country as diverse as America
WHY IT MATTERS
The results shed light on why there has been intense backlash to changes in school and higher education curriculum that portray America’s founding in a negative light.
HOW TO USE THIS DATA
Activists and candidates fighting anti-American curriculum can use this messaging framework to advocate for honoring the Founding Fathers in schools and public life.
Click on the image below to read the full report… or read the summary below.
Importance of Independence Day
- 55% of Americans agree that Independence Day is one of our nation’s most important holidays, a 4% increase from 2023. This includes 68% of Republicans, 45% of Democrats, and 54% of swing voters.
- 87% agree that Independence Day should be celebrated by all Americans.
- 90% of New Majority and 78% of Left Minority voters agree that Independence Day should be celebrated by all Americans.
Relevance of Principles
- 82% of Americans agree that the principles contained in the Declaration of Independence are still relevant today, a 4% increase from 2023. This includes 84% of both Republicans and Democrats and 80% of swing voters.
- 82% of New Majority and 81% of Left Minority voters agree that the principles contained in the Declaration of Independence are still relevant today.
- 72% of Gen Z voters agree that the principles contained in the Declaration of Independence are still relevant today, making them the least likely group to agree.
Losing our Principles
- 64% of Americans say the US is moving further away from the principles contained in the Declaration of Independence, a 3% decrease from 2023. This includes 74% of Republicans, 54% of Democrats, and 65% of Independents.
- 16% say we are moving closer to the principles in the Declaration, with Gen Z being the most likely to believe this, at 32%.
Taking Pride
- 83% agree that every American should take pride in the Founding Fathers’ success in declaring independence from Great Britain, winning the Revolutionary War, and establishing the world’s longest surviving democracy.
- 93% of Republicans, 77% of Democrats, and 83% of swing voters agree that all Americans should take pride in what the Founding Fathers accomplished.
- 87% of New Majority and 72% of Left Minority voters agree that all Americans should take pride in what the Founding Fathers accomplished.
Importance of Honoring the Founding Fathers
- 78% of Americans agree that the Founding Fathers should be honored for their accomplishments, despite past wrongs related to slavery. This includes 90% of Republicans, 70% of Democrats, and 80% of swing voters.
- 82% of New Majority and 68% of Left Minority voters agree that the Founding Fathers should be honored.
- 55% of Black voters agree that the Founding Fathers should be honored for their accomplishments, despite past wrongs related to slavery, making them the least likely group to agree.
- 76% of Americans agree that honoring the Founding Fathers is an essential part of unifying a country as diverse as America, including 89% of Republicans, 68% of Democrats, and 78% of swing voters.