29/06/2024

18 Made-Up American History Facts We All Thought Were True

American history is full of fascinating facts and tales, but not all of them are entirely accurate. You might find that you’ve believed something your whole life that you’re about to realize is nothing more than a myth. Here are 18 American history facts that aren’t true. Prepare to be shocked.

George Washington Had Wooden Teeth

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When George Washington was inaugurated as President, he only had one real tooth but contrary to popular belief, his dentures weren’t made out of wood. They were actually made from materials like ivory, gold, lead, and even human and animal teeth. They might have looked like wood, but they definitely weren’t.

The Alamo Was All About Texas Independence

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While the defense of the Alamo was a pivotal event in the Texas Revolution, it also involved complex issues of land, culture, and the rights of settlers. The death of around 200 Texans in the name of patriotism marks the battle as significant for Americans, but it wasn’t solely a fight for independence.

The Declaration of Independence Was Signed on July 4, 1776

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The Continental Congress approved the Declaration on July 4th, but most delegates signed it on August 2, 1776. Are you left wondering why July 4^th is celebrated as Independence Day? It’s because it marks the day the final draft was approved. Very confusing.

Paul Revere’s Midnight Ride Was a Solo Mission

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Silversmith and patriot, Paul Revere was part of a larger network of riders, including William Dawes and Samuel Prescott. Revere’s ride was significant, but he was not alone in spreading the warning about the impending British invasion. Most modern stories continue to depict the tale as a solo mission.

Christopher Columbus Discovered America

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Many of us are still shocked to hear that indigenous people had been living in the Americas for thousands of years before Columbus arrived. Additionally, Norse explorer Leif Erikson reached North America around the year 1000, well before Columbus. He did discover what we now know as the Caribbean, however.

Benjamin Franklin Invented Electricity

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Franklin did conduct experiments with electricity, but he didn’t discover it. The kite experiment is also true. Electricity was already known; Franklin’s experiments simply helped understand its properties. That’s still impressive.

The Pilgrims Landed on Plymouth Rock

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There’s no historical evidence that the Pilgrims specifically landed on Plymouth Rock. The Pilgrims themselves never even claimed to have landed on it. The rock itself wasn’t mentioned in written records until over a century later by a man called Elder Thomas Faunce.

The First Thanksgiving Was in 1621

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Many believe that the first Thanksgiving was in 1621, celebrated by Pilgrims and Native Americans. While the 1621 feast did occur, it wasn’t called Thanksgiving. The Pilgrims didn’t consider it a formal thanksgiving for religious purposes. The concept of Thanksgiving evolved later.

The Emancipation Proclamation Freed All Slaves

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The Emancipation Proclamation, issued by Abraham Lincoln in 1863, only applied to Confederate states not under Union control. In reality, slavery wasn’t fully abolished until the 13th Amendment in 1865, and even then it failed to stop discrimination faced by those who had been enslaved. It did mark the beginning of a quest for equality, however.

The Civil War Was Fought Solely Over Slavery

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While slavery was a primary cause, the Civil War was also about states’ rights, economic differences, and political power struggles between the North and South. It followed on from eighty years of debating the issues that led to war though slavery was still a significant factor.

The Gettysburg Address Was Written on an Envelope

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There is a common misconception that Abraham Lincoln wrote the Gettysburg Address on the back of an envelope en route to Gettysburg. The truth is that Lincoln likely wrote multiple drafts before eventually delivering the speech. The idea that he scribbled it hastily on an envelope is beautifully film-worthy but not quite true.

Thomas Edison Invented the Light Bulb

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Edison improved the light bulb design and made it commercially viable, but he didn’t invent it. Several inventors, including Humphry Davy and Joseph Swan, contributed to the development of electric light before Edison. He did have more than a thousand patents to his name so he was pretty impressive all the same.

The Great Wall of China is Visible from Space

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Rumour has it that The Great Wall of China is the only man-made object visible from space. This isn’t specific to American history, but it’s a common misconception. The Great Wall is not easily visible from space with the naked eye. Many other structures, like highways and cities, can be seen from space. Sorry to disappoint.

Salem Witches Were Burned at the Stake

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We’ve seen several movies depicting Salem witches burned at the stake. The truth is that during the Salem Witch Trials, while 19 people were hanged, and one was pressed to death, none were burned at the stake. This was more common in Europe than in the US.

The Liberty Bell Cracked on July 4, 1776

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The Liberty Bell cracked on an unknown date and wasn’t rung for independence, contrary to common myth. The crack likely developed in the early 19th century due to regular use. It made for a more romanticized story to think that it cracked while ringing, however.

The American Revolution Was Supported by Colonists

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The truth of the story is that the colonies were divided. About a third supported independence, a third remained loyal to Britain, and a third were neutral. The Revolution wasn’t universally supported as we’ve been led to believe.

Cowboys Frequently Engaged in Gunfights

It might be depicted in every Western movie we’ve ever seen, but gunfights were relatively rare in the Old West. Many towns had strict gun control laws, and most conflicts were resolved without violence. It made for great TV though.

Einstein Flunked Math

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As much as wed love to embrace the story that the world’s greatest genius had a weakness in Math, it’s nothing more than rumor. Einstein was a strong math student. The myth likely arose from a misunderstanding or misreporting of his early academic records. Now that’s irony for you.