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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 | * 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 === | ||