The Untold Truth Of George Washington

There is a story about George Washington that has been told so often that many people just accept it to be true. Supposedly, young George Washington received a hatchet on his 6th birthday and promptly took it to his father's cherry tree. When confronted by his father, Washington admitted to his misdeed, saying, "I cannot tell a lie ... I did cut it with my hatchet." This all comes from Mason Locke Weems' arduously titled book, "The Life of Washington the Great: Enriched with a Number of Very Curious Anecdotes, Perfectly in Character, and Equally Honorable to Himself, and Exemplary to his Young Countrymen."

But none of that actually happened. While Weems published the book in 1800, the year after Washington's death, his motivation was two-part. First, he wanted to spread stories of the greatness of Washington. Second, he wanted to sell a book. According to Washington's estate, after the former president's death in 1799, there was a great deal of interest in learning about him, and Weems was ready to meet the demand. He openly admitted as such to a publisher in January 1800, explaining, "Washington you know is gone! Millions are gaping to read something about him ... My plan! I give his history, sufficiently minute ... I then go on to show that his unparalleled rise and elevation were due to his Great Virtues."

Weems saw an opportunity, and he took it. Although, funny enough, the cherry tree story didn't even appear until the fifth printing of the book, in 1806.