Discusses whether history was taught in U.S. schools when they began around 1820. Reports that what was labelled history dealt with the founding of the republic, the Constitution, and government. Includes information on U.S. historians. Suggests that a society does not teach its history until it reaches a certain level of stability or maturity.…

Reviews criticism of history instruction and historical knowledge in the United States since 1939. Contends that critics have shared almost identical concerns during that period. Suggests that, although efforts must continually be made to strengthen history instruction, the "crisis" in history is ephemeral and usually linked to…