6 Ridiculous History Myths (You Probably Think Are True)
http://www.cracked.com/article_18487_6-ridiculous-history-myths-you-probably-think-are-true.html6. Wild West violence
5. Investors jumping to their deaths in 1929
4. Bra Burnings
3. 1938 War Of the Worlds hysteria
2. "No Irish Need Apply"
1. Medieval torture devices.
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The story of Washington and the cherry tree originated in an early 19th century biography by Mason Locke Weems, generally known as Parson Weems. There is a lovely painting by Grant Wood, 
As far as not lying, when Washington was offered the post of Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, he was also offered an annual salary of $10,000. He replied that if Congress would just pay his expenses, he would not take a salary. Congress took him up on it. Well, they came to regret it, as his expense accounts came to well over $10K per year. His reported laundry bills in particular seem to be exercises in fiction.
When Washington became President, he said that he would not take a salary if Congress would pay his expenses. Congress told him that he was getting a salary.
