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The story about George Washington cutting down his father's cherry tree, and then being unable to lie about it, has persisted throughout history. However, there is no evidence that this ever happened, and researchers have not been able to find any.

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10y ago

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When confronted by his father about who cut down the cherry tree, George Washington replied; "I can not tell a lie, it was I who cut down the cherry tree." This is not a true story and in all likely hood the Washington's never even had a cherry tree. This is classic American folklore.

George Washington did not chop down a cherry tree or say "I can't tell a lie, Pa". This apocryphal story was created by Mason Locke Weems better known as Parson Weems in A History of the Life and Death, Virtues and Exploits of General George Washington.

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15y ago
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George Washington never cut down a cherry tree that's just a silly folktale. Everyone knows that.

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13y ago
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George Washington NEVER actually cut down a cherry tree. It is a made-up story to show that Washington never lied, even as a child, to get out of trouble.

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15y ago
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According to the story, he did it as a boy at home on his father's plantation.

There is little doubt that the story is a fabrication.

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14y ago
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Q: When did George Washington cut down the cherry tree?
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What was the boys name that told George Washington that his cherry tree was cut down?

George Wahington cut his father's cherry tree down. When he was asked about it, he told the truth.


What was George Washington myth?

The George Washington myth was a story that Parson Locke Weems made up portraying how honest George Washington was. The story involved George chopping down his father's cherry tree as a young boy, his father asks him if he chopped the cherry tree down and George tells him that he "cannot tell a lie."


What was Parson Locke Weems myth about George Washington?

He invented the tale of the Cherry Tree. The myth was that when he was a little boy, George chopped down a cherry tree. When his father asked about it, George replied, "I cannot tell a lie," and admitted his act. This was used to demonstrate the perceived image of Washington as scrupulously honest.


What is the story about George Washington and the cherry tree?

This is the told story of George Washington and the cherry tree. George Washington was a good little boy. One day, his father got him an ax as a present. George Washington's dad had a big orchard, and just planted a baby cherry tree. "This cherry tree will bloom in the spring, and will grow cherries in the fall" said his father proudly. George was so happy to have his ax that he chopped down the cherry tree! His father was so sad when he saw his broken cherry tree. He didn't know who did it, so he said that anyone who did this will get punished. Finally, George decided to tell his father the truth. So he did, and his father said to him " Oh, George. You could of just said so. I'm not mad at you. You told the truth, and that's all that matters. I forgive you, George, because you didn't know." and so, he took George in his arms and gave him a good hug.


What is the story of George Washington chopping down a cherry tree?

Reportedly, George Washington. The story of George Washington and the cherry tree first appeared in The Life of Washington by Parson Weems (1800) . He attributed it to an old lady who knew Washington when he was a boy. It is almost certainly a fable without any factual basis. (see the links for details on the story)Nonetheless, it has become part of American culture. So much so that hatchets are cherry branches are a widely recognized symbol for Washington's birthday.