@boomerang,
Please cut it out with the "Stupid American" thing! It is insulting and unsupportable.
This is just like an Urban Legend... that the fact that everyone "knows" it is "true" means that there is plenty of supporting evidence.
Americans go through American high school and college. Americans live in a specifically American-focused media environment. The idea that someone who didn't live embedded in American culture would know more about "American history and politics" is just another version of the stupid-American joke based on the meme that Americans are dull and ignorant.
I have heard that more Canadians know who the American President is than Americans know who the Canadian Prime Minister is-- but this is explainable (with out the stupid American meme)... the American President is simply more important in world news. Ask Americans and Canadians about the rule in Dubai, and you will get the same result.
I also have traveled-- and surprise... people are people. Some are interested in world events, some are worried about local events... some are working hard to just get by.
Americans are no stupider, duller or less curious than Canadians (although I find Canadians quite curious at times).
(And the beer stinks!)