A Cato Institute survey of 2,253 Americans, conducted with Morning Consult on June 25-26, found that 46% of respondents couldn’t identify what America’s 250th anniversary commemorates on July 4th, while 53% correctly linked it to the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

The knowledge gap was most pronounced among Gen Z, with 61% of respondents aged roughly 18 to 26 unable to identify the significance of the anniversary. Only 39% of that age group correctly connected the celebration to the Declaration of Independence.

The survey also revealed broader civic knowledge gaps: 57% of Americans didn’t know why the colonies declared independence from Britain, 58% couldn’t identify the main purpose of the Constitution, and 55% didn’t know the Supreme Court has final say in disputes with the president.