You’ve all heard the story of George Washington chopping down the cherry tree. It’s a story that has persisted in the popular rememberings of the first President of the United States to showcase his character and exceptionalism.
You may also know that the cherry tree story, ironically, is a lie. It is the creation of Parson Weems, who wrote a flowery book about Washington the year after his death. The book was seen as a fanciful creation after its publication, but the myths surrounding the first president have persisted. Some, like the cherry tree, feel fairly benign.