History Pop Quiz: Why did George Washington cross the Delaware? Where did he do it, and where was he going? What was he hoping to do when he got there? What happened next? And why the heck does it even matter?

If you can’t answer some or all of these questions, you’re not alone. That’s because, when it comes to being good students of our own history, we suck. Only 20% of fourth graders, 17% of eighth graders, and a mere 12% of high school graduates perform at a proficient or advanced level on our annual “National Report Card.” In other words, the longer we sit in history class, the less we understand it. Awesome.

And everybody knows why: it’s boring! Who wants to think about history when there is so much else to do? You can text your friends, surf the web, go to the movies, watch TV. History is for losers, bring on more pop culture.

OK, Pop Culture Pop Quiz: Just who does actor Rob Lowe think he is? Sure, EVERYONE knows Rob Lowe: handsome brat-pack actor, appeared in numerous movies and TV’s The West Wing, buddies with Charlie Sheen, and even danced with Snow White at the Oscars. He’s a true pop star, he’s here and now, he’s interesting. But what you may NOT know, and what he himself did not know, is that there is a nasty secret in his own personal history. And he’s going to find out about it tonight at 8, on NBC’s “Who do you think you are?” His adventure starts in Philadelphia, and then takes him north to…

No, you’re going to have to watch for yourself. Tune in tonight and find out just who Rob Lowe is. Learn what that has to do with George Washington. And, yes, just why it matters.

Or, if you can’t stand the wait, you can start the adventure now.  http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Old-Barracks/110676295637353

History goes pop, pop goes history.