I won a scholarship with this essay. What do you guys think? In 400 words or less explain why American youth should care about their history. 

American youth should care about their history, because of the uniqueness and greatness that comprises this country. Since our founding in 1776, we have witnessed acts of sacrifice and heroism, compassion and courage, unity and fierce determination. By studying our history, we are reminded that we are citizens with obligations to each other, to our country, and to our history. John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, George Washington and countless others gave us a magnificent nation with ideals and values unprecedented by any nation in the world. They set forth an example of how we should govern ourselves by dedicating their lives to this glorious endeavor with truly divine inspiration. American youth should study history to cultivate in themselves the same fervor that burned in the hearts of the founding fathers. By studying our history you will find that goodness always prevails and although we may have many difficult obstacles to overcome, we will get through it all together as a nation founded on the principles of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. We must strengthen our sense of citizenship and pass along to future generations the wisdom of those in our past. Though we may not be a utopian society, the idealists that have gone before us have formed a tangible centered country, striving towards perfection, however flawed we may be. By looking at the nearly impossible victory of the Revolution, to the Constitutional Convention to Lincoln holding steadfast against division to Martin Luther King reinforcing the truth and democratic spirit of the country, we lay testament to an inextricable bond that holds us together. Ignorance is certainly not bliss in regards to knowing this marvelous nations history and to live without such knowledge would be to live an empty unfulfilling life. All youth should be exposed to the numerous achievements of this nation and the many wonderful individuals that called it home. In true Socratic sense, it’s not enough to know something, you must know why you know it. Know thyself, as Socrates so eloquently put it and the phase which is inscribed above Apollo's temple at Delphi, and to know yourself means to be aware of what it is that makes you who you are. And in this respect, the one thing which reveals this knowledge is history. Thus it is essential for American youth to have a firm grasp on their history and to inquire as to their origins, just as the young Athenians did.