Through the years we’re told things by our parents, friends, teachers and even television that we blindly accept as the truth. The problem is, people and television don’t always know what they’re talking about. I’ve found 10 things most people believe to be true but actually aren’t. In other words, ignorance at it’s finest.
Ketchup Was Sold in the 1830s as Medicine
In the 1830s when it came to popular medicine, ketchup was all the rage. In 1834, it was sold as a cure for indigestion by an Ohio physician named John Cook. It wasn’t popularized as a condiment until the late 19th century. The more you know
President Abraham Lincoln is in the Wrestling Hall of Fame
Before the 16th president took office, Abraham Lincoln was declared a wrestling champion. The 6’4″ president had only one loss among his around 300 contests. He earned a reputation for this in New Salem, Illinois, as an elite fighter. Eventually, he earned his county’s wrestling championship.
Abraham Lincoln Was Also a Licensed Bartender
Besides being a wrestling champ, Lincoln was also a licensed bartender. In 1833, the 16th president opened up a bar called Berry and Lincoln with his friend William F. Berry in New Salem, Illinois. The shop was eventually closed when Berry, an alcoholic, consumed most of the shop’s supply
George Washington was not the first person on the $1 bill
The first president was not the first face of the $1 bill! The first face to appear on this currency was Salmon P. Chase. The first $1 bill was issued during the Civil War in 1862. Chase was the Secretary of Treasury at that time and was also the designer of the country’s first bank notes.
Cars Weren’t Invented in the United States
Nope, it wasn’t Henry Ford’s Model T in 1908. The first car actually was created in the 19th Century when European engineers Karl Benz and Emile Levassor were working on automobile inventions. Benz patented the first automobile in 1886.
I’m sure George Washington Told a Lie
There is a myth about a young George Washington that states that the president, when he was a boy, cut down his father’s apple tree with a hatchet. When his father confronted him, he said, “I cannot tell a lie.” Yeah—never happened. It first appeared in an autobiography of Washington, where the writer later admitted he was just trying to display the president’s virtuous nature.
John Adams and Thomas Jefferson Both Died on July 4th,1826
It’s true, both U.S. presidents John Adams and Thomas Jefferson passed away—within five hours of each other. Crazy. They were once fellow patriots turned adversaries, and they were also the last surviving members of the original American revolutionaries.
Witches Weren’t Burned at the Stake In Salem
The witch trials in Salem, Massachusetts, lasted between February 1692 and May 1693. Nearly 200 people were accused of practicing witchcraft, including the homeless, the elderly, and a four-year-old girl. The majority were jailed, and some were hanged. But none of these people ever got burned alive
Walt Disney Didn’t Draw Mickey Mouse
While Walt Disney did have the idea of Mickey Mouse and also provided the voice, the imagery was created by the animator Ub Iwerks; he came up with all the iconic features. You won’t look at the adorable mouse the same again.
Cowboys Didn’t Actually Wear Cowboy Hats
Those big Stetsons that everyone associates with cowboys like John Wayne, Billy the Kid, or Wyatt Earp? Yeah. Cowboys didn’t wear those. In fact, the hat of choice for the 19th century cowboys was actually a bowler hat. Go figure.
Everything about Thanksgiving is a lie
You know that happy meal between Native Americans and the Pilgrims where everyone bonded? Well, the real story of Thanksgiving is awful and actually consisted of plagues and violence and murder. Also, there’s no evidence turkey was actually served—or that native people were invited to the meal.
Well did you learn something you didn’t know or did I just waste your time? Hopefully you learned something, I hate wasting peoples time. Let me know in the comments below.
