. . . to be really shocked that some people don't know in which years both World Wars began and ended?

[squoosh]

Was saying to a friend at the weekend that I was really shocked when someone I knew admitted that they didn't know in which year WWII began.

The person I said this too then said 'hmmm, was it 1935 that WWII began? I think WWI was 1910'. And this from a really intelligent person too. I thought those were the sorts of dates that everyone just knew. Even if you've never studied history in any capacity surely those dates just seep into your mind via films and tv programmes etc.

AIBU?

Was your friend taking the piss?

Yes yabu I'm afraid. They are just facts, and on the whole, well known facts, but there are many people who simply do not know some "well known" facts

Mind you, one of my students claimed not to know the date - get this - of the 1916 Rising. As in 'I don't know the date of the 1916 Rising'. And I don't think he meant the day of the month...

He wasn't taking the piss, he just didn't know.

I felt a bit awkward then and just changed the subject 'oh look it's Daniel Craig with the Queen'.

what stealth said you get it in schooland that is itand tbh people forget facts and figures

There is one of these I always get wrong, think it was Thatcher coming into power - I always think it was 79 but it's actually 80. Maybe :)

My 17 year old daughter was doing work experience in a primary school two weeks ago, with a year 4 class. They'd just been studying the Blitz, and one of the children said to her, "Were you scared when the bombs dropped, Miss?"

They may be facts and figures but they are also important general knowledge. I think it's disturbing that adults don't know the dates.

Do you know how long the 100 years war was??

Of course it is important it is a part of our history but sometimes people forget or can't remember Me i remember everything and spout facts and figures a lot it really isnt disturbiing on the grand scale of things though

Yabu. My dad always tuts and sighs and rolls eyes when I don't know facts like this (I know ww2 but not ww1 exactly)

Also some people just are not good with dates!

Stealth - it's 1979!

I am shocked that people don't know this stuff. Tbh, I was shocked about people not having heard of Tim Berners-Lee on other thread, but the dates of the war are pretty basic stuff. I don't think "they're just dates" or "it's just facts" are very impressive arguments. They're important. How can people not know these dates? It's not just about whether you listened in school, the dates are referenced everywhere. Do people go around just not paying attention?

Ahh Alice that's so cute!

I know it lasted over 100 years but nope, I don't know exactly how long.

Hardly the same thing though is it?

Oh. It's not that then. I wonder what I'm thinking of.

Ehhh I've just graduated with a 2.1 history degree and am entering a Masters in Military studies next year...and I really am not sure of the dates of WWI?

It was a point about how easy it is to not remember all the times and dates of things when names can be misleading and start dates can vary depending on what you beleive is right or wrong.

Some people think WW2 started before Germany invaded Poland so is it really any wonder why some people aren't sure?

Really baked? One of Dhs friends didn't know the order of the planet's round the sun. No big deal, except they studied astronomy togeter!

I don't mean to be cheeky bakedcheesy but how can that be?????????

I do know how to use apostrophes. And there isn't one in planets. Stupid phone!

I was educated in another country till I was in 6th form, so never had any history lessons based on Britain and I don't like watching war films, so I don't really know the exact dates of the two wars. Although I do know the general time frames (WW1 was early 1900s and WW2 in the 1940s??!)

I hate to say it but these were world wars...someone was going to :o

1914-18 and 39-45
Unless that's what I've been gettig wrong all these years :)

Thanks StealthPolarBear. I was sitting here dithering around as to whether to point out that or not.

Exact days/months that the war began can be argued at length by historians but the accepted years that the wars began and ended really are pretty basic. And everyone in the UK should know the time, day, month and year that WW1 ended. I mean the country stops every single year to remember it at the same time and date.

No idea, never paid any attention to history lessons and don't watch war films...

However my grandad in his 90's was in one so I know it was less that 90 years ago does that count?