We’re about to celebrate the 213’th anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln

But, will Kentucky’s public school students even know that Lincoln was born in the Bluegrass State?

Even people from out of state are interested in the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln and the celebration of his birthday as news reports over time readily demonstrate (here and here are just a few examples). Kentucky even has a university named in Lincoln’s honor and which in turn honors him.

So, why, oh why, does the current version of Kentucky’s public school social studies standards never once mention Lincoln’s name?

Washington’s and Jefferson’s names at least appear, but Lincoln is simply not to be found. And, lame excuses that Lincoln will be covered because coverage of the Civil War is required just don’t fly. Lincoln was born a long time before that war started. Also, a great deal of his extraordinary development into adulthood and his early public service likewise happened long before the Civil War started.

This is just one of the many shocking examples of how vacuous and content-starved our state’s public school social studies actually are. Lots of important things like the Louisiana Purchase, the Gadsden Purchase, the Alaska Purchase – all peaceful expansions of our nation, as a note – are also ignored. You can’t find any mention of South America or the nations found there, either.

It all just makes you wonder – how anyone can stand in the way of parents who want more school choice options for their kids?

If you think Kentucky’s children deserve to learn that one of the most important presidents to ever serve this country was born in our state, please let your legislators know. They can fix this.