By Sandra Day O'Connor and George Nethercutt Jr.

Pop quiz: How many people signed the Declaration of Independence? (Answer: 56)

According to numerous studies conducted by the Pew Research Center, Intercollegiate Studies Institute and the National Assessment of Educational Progress, among others, there is a serious lack of knowledge among Americans when it comes to the important events that have shaped our nation's history and heritage.

One study showed that only about 35% of Americans can name all three branches of the federal government, let alone state what they do. More evidence may be found simply by watching the "Jaywalking" segment of The Tonight Show With Jay Leno, which reveals glaring examples of the lack of basic civic literacy of those interviewed.

Today, cultural movements within the United States continue to undermine our reverence for the founding documents, taking a swipe at all that has come before our modern culture. A June 9 news report chronicled the story of one Virginia publishing company putting warning labels on such iconic documents as the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution and the Federalist Papers, foolishly asserting that they do not represent "modern thought" or adequately take into account social issues on which the United States has evolved since our country's beginnings. It's time America got back to basics.

Our common journey

Our legal system is just one example. Fundamental to our system of government is an appreciation for