[Raider Sam]

True. I dont remember which movie (I think National Treasure 2), but the main character said he loved Lincoln because before Lincoln, it was the United States are, and after it was the United States is. To me, that is the worst thing Lincoln did.

[Sherman Logan]

the main character said he loved Lincoln because before Lincoln, it was the United States are, and after it was the United States is.

This is widely believed, but is not really correct.

The plural United States was universal up to the War of 1812. Thereafter the United States as singular noun became more and more common.