audio by title this day in history march 21 1617

On this day, March 21, in 1617

  • produced by Hana Georg
  • in

It is said that Pocahontas died in Gravesend, England. Well let's take a moment to correct Disney's portrayal of Pocahontas. Her real name was Matoaka and she was the daughter of a Powhattan Chief; she would have been about 10 at the time it is said that she “rescued” the English man John Smith. Pocahontas was later captured, married off to a man named John Rolph, and transported to England where she was used as propaganda to support the English colonies in Virginia. She died of disease in England at the age of 21.