Lack of awareness on WW1/2

Pawnless Endgame

Pawnless Endgame

Pawnless Endgame

Soldato
Joined
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Sunny Stafford
I recently started a new job, had the induction a couple of weeks ago. One section of the induction was a questionnaire, where a question related to WW2. To my sheer amazement, I heard people muttering in my group "when did WW2 end?" (from the younger people but still aged 18+).

Is awareness really that bad now? I thought that the timeframe, key events i.e. Victory in Europe should be common knowledge. What do you guys think?
 
I agree it should be common knowledge. Its shocking how people from our country know so little.

I kid you not my ex girlfriend didnt know who won world war 2 was a shocking jaw dropping moment.
 
Do you mean specific dates or years? Years is terrible but dates not necessarily so, I'd suggest I'm quite keen on WW1 and WW2 history but I couldn't tell you the exact day WW1 started and WW2 finished. Think WW1 started in late August? and VE day was May (the 15th?). Wrong I guess?

Oddly though I can tell you when WW1 finished and when WW2 started... :p
 
Duggan said:
I agree it should be common knowledge. Its shocking how people from our country know so little.

I kid you not my ex girlfriend didnt know who won world war 2 was a shocking jaw dropping moment.
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Shocking that people don't know some dates?

Yes, I agree, your girlfriend was a moron, not knowing who won is ridiculous, but not knowing some dates?

How is that so important that people would describe not knowing it as "shocking"?
 
Don't think specific dates are that important.

No excuse for not having at least a vague idea of what year it started / finished even if its a year or two out.
 
Fenris said:
Shocking that people don't know some dates?

Yes, I agree, your girlfriend was a moron, not knowing who won is ridiculous, but not knowing some dates?

How is that so important that people would describe not knowing it as "shocking"?
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thing is, if you don't know the dates, do you know how long it lasted, do you know how long we held out before the germans abandoned their planned invasion of europe ?

Not knowing the exact date is fine, but you must have at least an idea of what years to have any sort of understanding of the suffering these people went through to ensure our freedom.
 
Monserrat said:
We're not talking about who got to number one in the charts on 7th May 1995. Insignificant subject matter. However, I feel that WW1/2 dates should be common knowledge.
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For one, not sure where you got that first part, for two, please explain why.

Yes, it was a very important event and yes, I do know the year it started and ended but I wouldn't begrudge someone for not knowing, they are just dates, we all know full well what was lost and what was given by the people who fought in that war, not knowing the dates is hardly being disrespectful.
 
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Fenris said:
Shocking that people don't know some dates?

Yes, I agree, your girlfriend was a moron, not knowing who won is ridiculous, but not knowing some dates?
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You mean ex girlfriend lol. And yes she was a moron.

And yes personally I think that its somethings I was taught through out my school life so it should be common knowledge really. If it wasnt a basic thing at school then fair enough. I'm not expecting a second, minute, hour, day date answer but the year of the start of WW2 and the end would be reasonable. Understanding that this year might change on when your country decided to enter the war or was attacked ;)
 
And if you type "lest we forget" into google images most of the pics are of Marilyn Manson.

Truly sad.
 
Sadly in high school history you only learn about WW1/2 if you take History as a GCSE option. I did choose it though because I find it interesting and it's one of the most popular and high percentage C-A* grade subjects in my school. But still 4 classes of 30 each out of 300 students is still only 1/3 students in my year know the dates and events which happened throughout the wars.

I think they should make it the topics for KS3 History to be honest.
 
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