I found the numbers listed in Fran’s blog yesterday, about the lack of knowledge people have about our own country, to be staggering but unfortunately believable. I certainly don’t know as much history as I would like to know, but the basic facts about our nation’s independence are a must-know in my book. With the Internet accessibility and numerous news sources we now have at our fingertips, there is so much we can learn about the past and present on a daily basis. Last week, the newest recognized nation, South Sudan, was formed. I found the news about Sudan to be very uplifting. While the struggles the people of the new nation have to face are daunting, at least the new generation will, hopefully, grow up without the constant warfare experienced by their parents and grandparents. Should everything progress positively for this volatile nation, I wonder if generations to come will remember the incredibly difficult struggles that their ancestors fought to give them the freedom of living life without constant warfare? Some say ignorance is bliss, but the history books tell us history repeats itself. I hope we can each take a little time out of our day to learn more about where we come from and to help us all get where we’re going. — Alex Young, vice president and associate publisher