On the night of April 18, 1775, a man named Paul Revere jumped on his horse and rode through the town of Lexington. He was warning people that the British soldiers were coming, which was a big deal because it meant the American Revolution was about to start. But how much do we really know about what happened that night and who Paul Revere was?
Many people think Paul Revere shouted, “The British are coming!” as he rode through the night. But that’s not exactly true. At that time, some people in Massachusetts still thought of themselves as British, so shouting that wouldn’t have made much sense. Plus, Revere’s mission was supposed to be a secret. British soldiers were nearby, and yelling loudly would have been a bad idea.
Instead, Revere quietly went from house to house in towns like Medford and Monotony. When he reached Lexington, where important leaders Samuel Adams and John Hancock were staying, he was told not to disturb them. Revere replied, “You’ll have noise enough before long; the regulars are coming out.” So, he didn’t actually say, “The British are coming.”
So how did the famous phrase come about? There’s a story from 1854 about another man who might have shouted it the day after Revere’s ride. He was warning that British troops had left Concord and were on their way.
We celebrate July 4 as Independence Day, but the process of declaring independence from Britain started earlier. On June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee proposed that the colonies should be free. Not everyone agreed right away, so Congress delayed the vote.
Thomas Jefferson and others wrote a detailed explanation for why they wanted independence. On July 2, 1776, 12 out of 13 colonies voted to break away from Britain. New York didn’t vote because they were waiting for instructions. On July 4, Congress approved the Declaration of Independence, but most historians think only a few people signed it that day.
Interestingly, John Adams thought July 2 should be the big holiday. He even wrote to his wife about celebrating it with parades. But today, almost no one remembers July 2, and both Adams and Jefferson died on July 4, 1826.
Another myth is that George Washington’s dentures were made of wood. While he did have dental problems, his false teeth were actually made from materials like ivory, animal teeth, and even human teeth. His dentist, Dr. Jean-Pierre Le Mayeur, advertised for human teeth in newspapers.
Many people think Pocahontas and John Smith were in love, but that’s not true. Pocahontas was only 11 or 12 years old when Smith arrived in Jamestown, and their relationship wasn’t romantic. Smith’s stories about his adventures are often seen as exaggerated or made up.
Finally, there’s the idea that the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock. The first mention of Plymouth Rock in connection with the Pilgrims came in 1741, long after they arrived. The Mayflower actually first stopped at Provincetown, where the passengers signed the Mayflower Compact, before moving on to Plymouth.
Now you know the real stories behind these historical events! Thanks for learning with us, and if you have any ideas for future topics, let us know. See you next time!
Work in small groups to create a short skit about Paul Revere’s ride. Focus on the true events and details, such as Revere’s quiet warnings and the phrase “The regulars are coming out.” Perform your skit for the class to help everyone understand the real story behind this famous event.
Create a timeline that highlights the key events leading up to the Declaration of Independence. Include important dates like June 7, July 2, and July 4, 1776. Use drawings or digital tools to make your timeline visually engaging and present it to the class.
Design a poster that debunks one of the common myths discussed in the article, such as George Washington’s wooden teeth or the romanticized story of Pocahontas and John Smith. Use facts from the article to correct the misconceptions and make your poster informative and eye-catching.
Participate in a class debate about whether July 2 or July 4 should be celebrated as Independence Day. Research John Adams’ perspective and other historical facts to support your argument. This will help you practice critical thinking and public speaking skills.
Create an interactive map that traces the journey of the Pilgrims from England to Plymouth. Include stops like Provincetown and highlight where the Mayflower Compact was signed. Use digital tools to make the map interactive, allowing classmates to explore the Pilgrims’ journey.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript, removing any inappropriate language and ensuring clarity:
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In the dead of night on April 18, 1775, Paul Revere leapt onto his trusty steed and rode through the town of Lexington shouting, “The British are coming!” at the top of his lungs, having successfully warned the patriots that the American Revolution was about to begin. Our hero just rode off into the night. But how does that story end? And who was Paul Revere, really?
Many of us might be a little hazy on the details of Revere’s life before and after his midnight ride, but we can all agree that his claim to fame was indeed warning that the British were approaching. U.S. history teachers have instilled this narrative in millions of young minds, so surely Revere actually said those words, right?
Hi, I’m Justin Dodd, and welcome to Misconceptions. Today, we’re tackling some widely known tales from colonial America that don’t ring quite as true as we might think.
The first misconception is that Paul Revere never shouted his famous catchphrase. It wouldn’t have made much sense if he did. Not only did some of the Massachusetts population still consider themselves British in 1775, but Revere’s mission was very much a covert operation. British soldiers were patrolling the area that night, and Revere would have made the world’s worst secret messenger if he had been shouting loudly.
After going house to house to alert people in Medford and Monotony, Revere made his way to the Lexington parsonage where Samuel Adams and John Hancock were staying. Upon his arrival, a guard named William Monroe informed him that the residents had already turned in for the night and requested not to be disturbed. According to Monroe’s later testimony, Revere replied, “You’ll have noise enough before long; the regulars are coming out.” So, at that point, Revere wasn’t too concerned with being quiet.
How did “the regulars are coming” turn into the catchphrase “the British are coming”? There’s no conclusive answer, but there are accounts of someone else shouting that phrase at the time. In an 1854 issue of the New England Historical and Genealogical Register, a Bostonian named William H. Sumner recounted a story told to him by John Hancock’s widow, Dorothy Scott. She remembered another man arriving the day after Revere’s midnight ride to report that British troops had left Concord and were on their way. He exclaimed, “The British are coming!”
The colonies declared independence from Britain on July 4, 1776. On that day, we celebrate America’s separation from King George III with fireworks, food, and festivities. However, the actual declaration of independence occurred a bit earlier. On June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee introduced a resolution declaring that the colonies ought to be free and independent states.
Several colonies opposed breaking away from Britain, so Congress decided to delay the vote while Thomas Jefferson and others drafted a more detailed justification for independence. Jefferson and his colleagues submitted their work on June 28, and when Congress voted on July 2, 12 out of 13 colonial delegations voted in favor of declaring independence. New York abstained, waiting for instructions from their state legislature.
On July 4, Congress formally approved an edited version of Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence. However, most modern historians doubt that the document was signed that day. The consensus is that only a few delegates, including John Hancock, signed it then, while others signed later.
Interestingly, John Adams believed that July 2 should have been the official holiday. He wrote to his wife Abigail that it would be a day to celebrate with parades and festivities. Yet, practically nobody remembers that anything significant happened on July 2, and to add to the irony, both Adams and Thomas Jefferson died on July 4, 1826.
Another misconception is that George Washington’s dentures were made of wood. While Washington did have significant dental issues, his false teeth were made from various materials, including ivory, horse and cow teeth, and even human teeth. Washington’s dentist, Dr. Jean-Pierre Le Mayeur, advertised for human teeth in newspapers, offering compensation for them.
As for Pocahontas and John Smith, many believe they were in love, but historical evidence suggests otherwise. Pocahontas was only 11 or 12 years old when John Smith arrived in Jamestown, and their relationship was not romantic. Smith’s accounts of his adventures are often considered unreliable, and many historians believe he exaggerated or fabricated stories about his interactions with Pocahontas.
Lastly, the idea that the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock is also a misconception. The first mention of Plymouth Rock in relation to the Pilgrims came in 1741, long after the event. In reality, the Mayflower first anchored at Provincetown, where the passengers signed the Mayflower Compact, before moving on to Plymouth.
Now that you have a more accurate understanding of these historical events, thank you for watching Misconceptions. If you have any ideas for future topics, leave them in the comments. We’ll see you next time!
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This version maintains the informative nature of the original while ensuring it is appropriate for all audiences.
Colonial – Relating to or characteristic of a colony or colonies, especially in terms of the period when countries like Britain established settlements in the Americas. – During the colonial period, many European nations established settlements in North America.
America – A term commonly used to refer to the United States of America, but can also refer to the continents of North and South America collectively. – The discovery of America by European explorers led to significant changes in world history.
Independence – The state of being free from outside control or not subject to another’s authority, often used in the context of nations gaining freedom from colonial rule. – The Declaration of Independence was a pivotal document in American history, marking the colonies’ break from British rule.
Revolution – A significant change or overthrow of a government or social order in favor of a new system, often achieved through conflict or protest. – The American Revolution was a struggle for independence from British rule that resulted in the founding of the United States.
Paul – A reference to Paul Revere, an American silversmith and patriot known for his midnight ride to warn the colonial militia of approaching British forces before the battles of Lexington and Concord. – Paul Revere’s ride is an iconic event in American history, symbolizing the fight for independence.
Revere – To regard someone with great respect or admiration, often used in historical contexts to describe how figures are viewed by society. – Many Americans revere the Founding Fathers for their role in establishing the nation.
Congress – The legislative branch of the United States government, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate, responsible for making laws. – The Continental Congress played a crucial role in the American colonies’ decision to declare independence from Britain.
Pilgrims – A group of English settlers who sought religious freedom and established the Plymouth Colony in present-day Massachusetts in 1620. – The Pilgrims are remembered for their role in early American history and their celebration of the first Thanksgiving.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs, often focusing on how these events shape the present and future. – Learning about history helps us understand the complex world we live in today.
Myths – Traditional stories or legends that are often used to explain natural phenomena or cultural practices, sometimes based on historical events but embellished over time. – Many myths about the founding of America have been passed down through generations, blending fact and fiction.
