Well, as an adult I've had to make up for the lack of education I received as a kid (we lived in several states--it wasn't just one school district I experienced). I was an "A" student and sometimes I wonder what the heck did I do all day?
American history is so rich and exciting it's a shame so many miss out.
(I do remember 8th graders got to watch Gone With the Wind for history class one day. I'd already read the book by the time it was my turn.)