Here’s the friendliest history lesson you’ll get all year. As the country geared up to turn 250 in July, an American reporter from CBS News walked into a British pub during a World Cup game and asked locals a simple question: What do you actually know about American independence and the 4th of July? Turns out… not much. The Brits knew close to nothing — but still wished us a happy birthday anyway.

Americans grew up with the 4th of July. It’s embedded in our DNA: hot dogs on the grill, the flag waving, fireworks, summer cookouts. Red, white, and blue. Bald eagles screech, surely, somewhere in the distance. But across the Atlantic, that all barely registers. The gap isn’t about rudeness, though. 

@cbsnews As America prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday, @rileycallanan quizzed some visitors from across the pond on their knowledge of American independence. Here’s what they told us. ♬ original sound – cbsnews

As America prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday, @rileycallanan quizzed some visitors from across the pond on their knowledge of American independence. Here’s what they told us. ♬ original sound – cbsnews

“England gave America away as a gift”

When asked whether they’d learned about the American Revolution in school, the locals answered fast and gloriously honest.

“In the U.K.? Not at all,” one person said. “The first thing I heard about it was a week ago.” Another just shrugged: “No, not really, no.”

Then came the showstopper. “Never heard of it,” one man offered, “except for I heard........

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