With today’s college students adeptness at using new technology and skill at mooching off of their parents for an extended period of time, one could reasonably argue that today’s generation of young Americans is the brightest group ever born.

However, as a video offering from Campus Reform shows, the 8th graders back in 1912 knew a lot more about American civics:

Students at Denver’s Metropolitan State University were unable to answer questions taken from a basic knowledge test administered to 8th graders in 1912, which was reprinted by Smithsonian Magazine earlier this month.

Students foundered, for example, when asked, “what are the eligibility requirements to be president?”

“To be president you have to have a high school diploma, you have to be at least 25 years of age, that’s what I know,” replied one male student.

Another student took a stab at the question, guessing you had to deliver the “best lecture.”

“The president would be the best elective that would sustain this country and have the best lecture about … [inaudible],” said the student.

“George Bush put this motherf**ker down the whole, so its Bill Clinton’s you know… he was more he was his successor,” he continued.. “George Bush just crashed it all. Obama is here to fix everything.”

In fact, any American who was born in the United States over the age of 35 who has resided in the country for 14 years is eligible for the presidency according to Article II, Section I, Clause V of the United States Constitution.