This "Sunday School" version of our past has gained currency among conservative television commentators, school boards that have rewritten state textbooks and several GOP presidential candidates, some of whom trekked to Ralph Reed's Faith and Freedom Coalition conference in early June 2011.

CNN: Why U.S. is not a Christian nation

Children learn the basics of currency and mathematics in elementary school.

FORBES: How Online Gaming Can Teach Kids About the Economy

Allan Eberhart of Georgetown's business school and Akhtar Siddique of the office of the Comptroller of the Currency studied 7, 079 buybacks announced between 1981 and 1995.

FORBES: Buyback Boomlet