Vol. 06 · Misquoted ·Speech ·183 of 348
"Mission Accomplished."
They never said that.
What people say
"Mission Accomplished."
What was actually said
"Mission Accomplished." George W. Bush (implicit) — USS Abraham Lincoln banner, 1 May 2003
Why it stuck
Correct as a banner — but Bush did not speak the phrase in the speech. The White House later blamed the Navy; the Navy later blamed the White House. The banner became its own caption.
The Iraq War continued for eight more years.
Know another line by heart?
Play the duel and see how many you can spot. Or browse the whole shelf.