01-30-2019, 04:04 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: ABQ, New Mexico
Posts: 36,633
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The Cherry Tree myth was invented by one of Washington’s first biographers, Mason Locke Weems, in The Life and Memorable Actions of Washington. The tall tale first appeared in the book’s fifth edition, published in 1806. Its purpose was to paint Washington as a role model for young Americans, proving that the man's public greatness was due to his private virtues (honesty, courage, etc.). In 1836, the story was recast as a children’s story.
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