Common Lies About America's Early History That Many People Still Believe

We all remember cracking open those history textbooks every school day and memorizing thousands of facts. As it turns out, there's an alarming amount of stuff we all crammed into our brains that didn't actually happen. Over the years, truths get twisted, events are misrepresented, and unfortunately, many kids today are still memorizing this misinformation.

Paul Revere's Ride

Everyone who learned the poem of Paul Revere had it in their heads he shouted "The British are coming!" However, he actually said, "The regulars are coming" because citizens of Massachusetts at the time still considered themselves British.

Puritan Beliefs

Loads of kids are taught the Puritans were suffering religious persecution, and when they finally escaped to America, they preached religious freedom. However, they were actually incredibly close-minded and banished people who didn't believe what they did.

Ropes for Witches

The Salem Witch Trials took place in 1692 after several women in Salem, Massachusetts, were accused of witchcraft. However, few if any were burned at the stake like movies and books lead us to believe; most were actually executed by hanging.

Thanksgiving Dates

Every year, millions of people celebrate Thanksgiving on the last Thursday of November. However, there's no proof that was when it occurred in history. When the celebration started, it was a three-day harvest festival that occurred sometime in September or November.