As society evolves and our knowledge advances, certain beliefs once ingrained in educational curricula are being debunked. From scientific theories to historical narratives, the passage of time has shed light on different inaccuracies once accepted as the truth. Whether or not it was intentional, people in the fifties, sixties, and seventies were taught many things in school that turned out to be no more than lies and misconceptions. We’re here today to explore some of the biggest misconceptions taught in schools 20, 30, or even 50 years ago that have since been corrected!
#1: Washington’s Teeth Were Made of Wood
George Washington is such a famous figure in US history that it’s no surprise there’s a huge amount of lore surrounding his life. One of the famous stories about Washington is how his dentures were made of wood. Many of us accepted that as fact. He was alive a long time ago. Who’s to say that people back then didn’t use wood to replace their teeth?
Contrary to popular lore, Washington’s teeth were not made of wood. You might wish they were once you learn the truth. Washington’s famous dentures were made with other human teeth, as well as teeth from animals like cows and horses. Where did the human teeth come from? Well, it’s believed that Washington purchased teeth from the enslaved people forced to work at Mount Vernon.