Myths About Colonial America, Debunked

Reality: On July 3, 1776, John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail, "The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding generations, as the great anniversary Festival." Through a vote in the Continental Congress, the Founding Fathers declared Independence on July 2 and fully expected the date to be marked as the anniversary of America's birth.

Why The Myth: The first printing of the Declaration of Independence took place two days after independence was officially declared, and it was performed by a Philadelphia printer named John Dunlap. As was customary at the time, Dunlap printed the date of publication - July 4 - on top of the document, and the date has stuck ever since. As early as 1777, Americans were celebrating on July 4, not July 2.

Reality: Native American and frontier cultures were often intermingled, and there was a constant interchange between them. Many white settlers found the Native communities attractive; thus, many settlers left to join Native villages, wherein the pilgrims banned the wearing of long hair by men, fearing it might lead to "Indianization."

Why The Myth: This myth likely arose for the same reason pilgrims banned long hair: to prevent intercultural exchange. For settlers intent on taking Native land, the idea of coexisting was infeasible. Subsequent history, books, and movies portraying early America have followed suit, often depicting a simple European town and separate Native tribe nearby.

Reality: Of the 20 people executed during the trials, 19 perished by hanging. One of the 20 was a man named Giles Corey; he met his demise after having large, heavy stones pressed down on him for days. It's likely his passing was due to unfortunate luck rather than an intent to slay, as the court was trying to get a plea out of him. No one was burned at the stake.

Why The Myth: While the Salem Witch Trials were a tragic and unjust period in American history, they pale in comparison to the witch persecutions of Europe. Current estimates place a figure of around 50,000 people slain for witchcraft between the 1400s and 1700s. Because it was a traditional punishment first laid out in medieval criminal codes, many of those accused were burned at the stake. It was such a common punishment it became synonymous with witchcraft, and many have since assumed it was practiced at Salem.

Reality: Most of what we think we know about Revere's ride is simply untrue. He never shouted, "The British are coming!" in part because the citizens of Massachusetts still considered themselves British and would have been confused. Instead, he shouted, "The Regulars are coming out." Furthermore, Revere never made it to Concord; he was captured and interrogated en route to Lexington, then forced to walk to the city to give his first official warning. Word still got to Concord, however, because Revere didn't ride alone - he was part of a network of roughly 40 riders.

Why The Myth: In 1860, the poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was concerned about rising partisan unrest and political conflicts. In response, he wanted to write a poem that presented a heroic, united story of America, and the image of a lone rider with a message of warning fit the bill. The poem was a huge success. For many years, children learned it in school, so the myth was cemented.

Reality: The famous scene depicted in John Trumbull's Declaration of Independence was not meant to show the signing of the document, but rather the presentation of it to John Hancock for approval. Regardless of what it represents, the scene never happened. The founders signed the document over the course of several months, beginning on August 2. Some delegates were hesitant before adding their names, and others - such as the New York delegation - only signed it after further debate back home.

Why The Myth: Trumbull took a great deal of artistic license with the painting, which he painted roughly 10 years after 1776, according to recollections by Thomas Jefferson. When he finished the painting and hung it in the Rotunda in the Capitol, Sam Adams's grandson, Samuel Adams Wells, wrote to Jefferson: "The painting executed by Col. Trumbull, representing the Congress at the declaration of independence will, I fear, have a tendency to obscure the history of the event which it is designed to commemorate."

Reality: Despite one or two moments of guerilla-style tactical brilliance, the Continental Army fought largely as European-style armies of the day had clashed. They faced each other in ranks and essentially took turns firing at their opponents while the tanks inched closer and closer. This was because the type of smoothbore muskets used at the time could be loaded relatively quickly; however, they were inaccurate, meaning it was most effective to have them fire as part of a giant cluster.

Why The Myth: It's natural historians and artists would focus on the most daring and thrilling exploits in retelling the conflict. Hamilton's offensive strike during Yorktown and the tactics used at Lexington and Concord make for great reading. But the truth is they are the exception, not the rule. Most military engagements during the clash were decidedly conventional.