Libs: Why does american history even matter anymore?

I asked my niece the other day who the USA was fighting in the Civil war. She gave me three guesses. First she said the British, then she said the Germans, finally she said the Russians. She could not even name one battle in the Civil war or even what century it was in. Ive noticed that American youth have started to care less and less about history. So on the issue of Sarah Palins Paul Revere comment. I ask you. Does it really matter?