[dm2]

If you are a history major then what you said might be true, but expecting every student in the US to memorize those dates and everything similar (melting points, number of protons/electrons, dates of birth of authors) is insane and very counterproductive. Especially in basic required classes in high-school.

Students are not willing to learn those details and it turns them off to school and wastes valuable time that could be utilized to better prepare them for the real world.

How many professions could use ANY of the information you mentioned in your post?