While the year 2020 has presented Americans with significant political, economic and cultural challenges, there are silver linings – one of which is an increased knowledge of the U.S. Constitution among Americans, according to this year’s annual Annenberg Public Policy Center survey.

Published each year in time for Constitution Day (Sept. 17), the center’s annual survey provides statistics about American understanding of the U.S. Constitution, usually to reveal that we know shockingly little about our government.

However – in a year of riots over racial issues; varied state and federal responses to a pandemic; and an impeachment hearing – results from the survey conducted Aug. 4-9, 2020, show an uptick in Americans’ understanding of the U.S. Constitution.

See below for more details.

• 73% of Americans named freedom of speech as a First Amendment right, up from 48% in 2017
• 47% named freedom of religion, up from 15%
• 42% named freedom of the press, up from 14%
• 34% named right of assembly, up from 10%
• 14% named right to petition the government, up from 3%
• Those who could not name any First Amendment right fell to 19%, down from 37%
• 51% of the U.S. adults surveyed could name the three branches of government – the executive branch (White House), the legislative branch (Congress) and the judicial branch (Supreme Court), up from 39% in 2019

While these statistics offer encouragement that Americans still care about their government, rights and responsibilities, they still show large gaps of understanding and the need for improved civics education across the nation. Luckily, it appears that Americans are eager to learn, and when they are eager, large gains can be made quickly. Which is something to celebrate. Happy Constitution Day!