Bush flubs history class with... um, class

President Bush needed a little help with some dates earlier today, during a speech on the South Lawn of the White House.

Standing with Queen Elizabeth II, Bush recalled her previous state visits, but had a little problem with the dates.

"You helped us celebrate our bicentennial in 1796," he said confidently, but quickly realized his error. "Er, 1976," he corrected himself, to laughter from around the lawn. Her Majesty, smiling broadly, gave him a knowing sideways glance.

To another outburst of laughter from the crowd, he told her: "You gave me a look only a mother could give a child."

Indeed.

It's been well documented what Dubya said to the Queen during her last state visit to America as the guest of his father in 1991. Bush approached the Queen and said: "I'm the black sheep of my family; who's the black sheep of yours?" Dubya's mother, Barbara, gave him a withering stare and turned to the Queen. "Don't answer that," she said firmly to her royal guest.

At least Bush is making progress. With approval ratings hovering around 28 percent, he's now the black sheep of a whole nation.

Photos from AP