Chapter 1: The Quest for Truth in History

It’s crucial to clarify historical misconceptions, as President John F. Kennedy noted, “The great enemy of the truth is very often not the lie, but the myth… something that is persistent, persuasive and unrealistic.” While we often feel confident in identifying falsehoods, some historical myths have been repeated so frequently that they are widely accepted as fact.

Here are three notable examples:

Section 1.1: Columbus and the Discovery of America

Most of us grew up believing that Christopher Columbus discovered America. However, this is inaccurate. According to NPR, evidence shows that the Vikings, led by Leif Erikson around the year 1000 A.D., were among the first Europeans to set foot in North America. They landed in a region they named "Vinland," which is now part of Newfoundland, Canada. Erikson and his crew did not remain long before returning to Greenland.

Long before Columbus arrived in 1492, millions of Indigenous peoples had already populated the Americas. The likely first migrants were those who traveled from Siberia to Alaska over the Bering Land Bridge approximately 30,000 years ago. Archaeological findings also indicate that humans had traversed south of the Canadian ice sheets around 15,000 years ago, long before Columbus's time.

Section 1.2: The Famous Midnight Ride of Paul Revere

Most people are familiar with Paul Revere's midnight ride to Lexington, Massachusetts, on April 18, 1775. Revere's mission was to alert the colonists that British troops were on the move to apprehend revolutionary leaders Samuel Adams and John Hancock. However, the narrative is often oversimplified.

While Revere did leave around 11 p.m., upon reaching Adams and Hancock’s location, he was instructed to keep quiet by the guards. His actual words were, “You’ll have noise enough before long,” indicating the British troops were advancing. The widely held belief that he shouted, “The British are coming,” is misleading, as many colonists still identified as British at that time, particularly before the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776.

Chapter 2: The Truth Behind Mickey Mouse's Creation

Another common misconception is that Walt Disney was the sole creator of Mickey Mouse. In reality, it was his close friend, Ub Iwerks, who was responsible for the original design of the iconic character in 1928. While Disney is often credited with Mickey’s popularity, it’s important to acknowledge Iwerks' pivotal role.

Reports suggest that Disney overshadowed Iwerks, treating him more like an employee than an equal partner. Ultimately, Iwerks sold his 20% share in Disney for $3,000, leading to a split that would define the company’s history.

The first video titled "10 American Founding Myths" explores popular misconceptions surrounding America's founding moments.

The second video, "Myths from American History Class," delves into various myths that are often taught in educational settings, providing insight into their origins and realities.