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Common historical fallacies: Difference between revisions

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* the best teachers "teach" not "preach"
* the best teachers "teach" not "preach"
** but even the most objectively-minded teacher has as a point of view, an underlying outlook
** but even the most objectively-minded teacher has as a point of view, an underlying outlook
* todo:
** FDR "Nothing to Fear but Frear itself" speech
** Precolumbian Native Americans rode on horses
** medieval Europe thought the world was flat
** Cinco de Mayo is Mexican independence day
** Viking helmits had horns on them
** Marie Antoinette said "let them eat cake"
also: Newton and the apple, Napoleon short, War of the Worlds, Einstein bad at math
* todo: poupular historical notions that are true
** Aztec human sacrifice
**


== George Washington did not cut down a cherry tree ==
== George Washington did not cut down a cherry tree ==
* that Washington cut down a cherry tree and, when confronted about it by his father, replied, "I cannot tell a lie" has been considered a fabrication
* that Washington cut down a cherry tree and, when confronted about it by his father, replied, "I cannot tell a lie" has been considered an historical fabrication
* Parson Weems told the story in the 5th edition of his "The Life of Washington" (1806)
* Washington's first biographer, Parson Weems, told the story in the 5th edition of his "The Life of Washington" (1806)
** long considered apocryphal (a made up story to make a valid point), there is no evidence that Washington <nowiki>''did not''</nowiki> cut down the cherry tree
** long considered apocryphal (a made up story to make a valid point), there is no evidence that Washington <nowiki>''did not''</nowiki> cut down the cherry tree
=== contrary evidence 1: the story is plausible ===
=== contrary evidence 1: the story is plausible ===