National Johnny Appleseed Day

March 11th is recognized as National Johnny Appleseed Day in memory of the folk hero. John Chapman was born on September 26, 1774, in Leominster, Massachusetts, and died around March 11, 1845. He was a pioneer who is credited with planting apple trees wherever he went, especially in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, and Indiana. His efforts have become legendary.

He loved plants and animals and worked for a while at an apple orchard. Then, he decided to travel west, taking apple seeds with him. However, the image of a poor vagabond roaming about planting apple seeds is somewhat distorted. He did give that appearance, but at the time of his death, he owned over 1,200 acres, which he left to his sister, because he never married.


Johnny Appleseed has become an American folk figure and legend. Songs, poems, and stories have been handed down through the generations. Plays have been written and performed and movies made about him. Tales of his benevolent spirit has lived on, and Johnny would have liked that.

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