> I don't think I ever had to write down the date a battle happened. Heh. Reminds me of coming to a (highly regarded) prep-high school in Eastern Eu back in th

> I don't think I ever had to write down the date a battle happened. Heh. Reminds me of coming to a (highly regarded) prep-high school in Eastern Eu back in the day. All seemed awesome at first glance. History teacher was ancient, which added to his cachet. Then the first oral exam came. We quickly caught on that this guy would ask a topic, and stop the student as soon as they deviated from the previously spoken lecture. After that it was a race to write every word he said verbatim, and regurgitate on command exactly word for word. I think the biggest contribution this school had for me is I now don’t feel anxious about the American schools my kids attend which many people complain are falling behind other countries, catering to the least common denominator, and similar. Compared to the rote fest I had I’ll take American schools any day :-)