We love the Americans, don’t we? The reason is not far-fetched. Their country is the number one destination for our citizens (Nigerians) and most people from the Third World who seek greener pastures abroad. Because of this, many things about them fascinate us; their politics, their technology, their movies, their music, their lifestyle and of course, their history!
We have read so much about America more than the Americans themselves. Our reading from many ill-informed sources gave rise to many misconceptions on their history. Below are the 7 grave misconceptions and solid facts this article seeks to correct and affirm:
THAT CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS DISCOVERED AMERICA
This is what most history textbooks and current affairs books tell us and would have us believe but it’s far from the truth.
FACT: People called Eskimos travelled to America many years before Columbus was born. These Eskimos came from faraway places-from cold and icy countries called Greenland and Siberia. He stumbled on an already inhabited America.

THAT COLUMBUS WAS A SPANIARD
While it was true that the Spanish gave Columbus all the resources he needed to set sail, Columbus was actually born in1451 in the city of Genoa, Italy.
FACT: Christopher Columbus was Italian

THAT COLUMBUS LANDED IN THE US
FACT: Christopher Columbus never landed in the US! He landed on one of the Bahamian Islands. After Columbus landed, he erroneously referred to the natives as ‘’Indians”. Why? He was sent to Asia , he lost his way and thought this new place was India.

THAT ENGLAND COLONISED ALL THE UNITED STATES
As evident in the names of the colonies which now form the American states, the former colonies were shared between the French, Spanish, Dutch and British colonists. Spain was actually the first country to settle the United States. Places like Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Palo Alto, Texas and even Florida discovered by Spanish navigator, Ponce De Leon in 1513 give credence to America’s Spanish heritage. Vermont, Tennessee, Illinois, Missouri etc all affirm America’s French heritage. New York was settled by the Dutch and they call it ‘’Nieuw York.
FACT: England being the Super Power at the time defeated the French and Spanish and usurped all the colonies for herself. Usurpers, huh?
THAT THE AMERICANS DEFEATED THE BRITISH ALL ALONE
The colonists were being slaughtered en masse because they were not trained fighters and did not have the military training or supplies that the British troops had. They were cold and starving.
FACT: It was not until spring of 1778 when France decided to help the Americans. The French Army captured the British General Cornwallis and his troops. With the help of the French, archrivals of the Brits, the Americans won the American Revolution and Independence was won at last.

THAT ALL THE 50 STATES FORMED THE UNION FROM THE ONSET
FACT: No! After the war was won, the former colonies didn’t continue as one. Rather, they reverted to being independent since they only came together to fight the war against their common enemy. Only 13 states first formed the United States. They are; Virginia (name after the British virgin Queen, Elizabeth), South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Connecticut. That is why today, American states are ranked according to the year of their joining the Union. The years are written on the flags of each state.

THAT ABRAHAM LINCOLN IS THE FATHER OF AMERICA
Abraham Lincoln no doubt , holds a no mean place in the history of America as her most famous leader. As the 16th president of the United States, he stopped the slave business, kept the country united after a protracted civil war and helped modernise the economy.
FACT: Nah, George Washington who led the American Revolution and became the nation’s first president is referred to as the ‘’Father of Our Country’’. Washington even helped in drafting the first ever constitution of the United States.

I don't think anyone believes Christopher Columbus was Spanish? Unless you mean Spaniard.

Everyone knows he was Italian.

actually, most of your points are not beliefs of most people.

op, na from your mouth I go first hear say colombus na Spanish o maybe na Colombia you wan tok self

I don hear anoda one