Ya'll are just lame. THe percetnage of Americans who are literate is much, mcuh higher now than it was in 1895. In 1895 MOST AMERICANS sdi not even go to school to the 8th grade. Yes, our public education system is not as good as other systems in the world TODAY. But don't compare it to 1895. You're all actually showing your ignorance and lack of education by making this STUPID comparison.