Johnny Appleseed

Today's history lesson, courtesy of The Straight Dope, is a short but entertaining recapping of the tale of Johnny Appleseed.

Johnny Appleseed was, to put it kindly, eccentric. He was a vegetarian and traveled barefoot, and, equally out of character with his times, showed kindness to animals and befriended the Indians. He preached a Christianity that was close to nature-worship. He was known as "Johnny Appleseed" in his lifetime, a folk hero about whom legends and stories were told, then and since. He became a mythic figure, who helped to tame the wilderness by planting apple orchards. He embodied two extremes: the rugged individualist and the gentle humanitarian.

An American story, without doubt. Go ahead, it's a quick read and will make your day.