Get them excited bout American History.
Last I saw, they are no longer teaching any American History much further back than when the Beatles landed in the USA.
Bump
In my experience, those who love learning will enjoy their History classes... but that's only about 1/3 of all public school students. What I have discovered over the years is that this who did NOT love learning in their youth will enjoy History lessons and discussion in their early-to-mid 20s... sadly, that group usually isn't in college, and if they are, they typically aren't taking History electives. However, it is nice to see that "spark" light up in those who even had a disdain education for most of their teens, when I simply blather on about some of my favorite cool stories from history.
Oh no, you are far behind the times.
As of this school year they start with John McCain creating heaven and earth.
Rush has a series of books out with a time traveling horse named Liberty.