10 Fascinating Facts About George Washington
George Washington was the first president of the United States.
He was born on February 22, 17
3. Washington led the Continental Army during the American Revolution.
He commanded troops in numerous battles, including the decisive victory at Yorktown.
Washington presided over the Constitutional Convention in 1787.
He was unanimously elected as the first President of the United States in 1789.
Washington served two terms as president, from 1789 to 1797.
His face appears on the one-dollar bill and the quarter.
Washington’s teeth were not made of wood, as many people believe, but were actually made of a combination of gold, ivory, and human and animal teeth.
He is known for his strong moral character and is often referred to as the Father of His Country.
Washington owned a large plantation called Mount Vernon in Virginia.
He was a skilled horseback rider and loved to foxhunt.
Washington was an avid reader and book collector.
He was fluent in French and could also speak some Latin.
Washington was a Freemason and served as the Master of his local Masonic Lodge.
He was the only president who didn’t live in Washington, D.C. during his presidency.
Washington was the only president to be elected by a unanimous electoral vote.
He was the only president who never lived in the White House.
Washington’s Farewell Address, delivered in 1796, is considered one of his most important speeches.
10 Fascinating Facts About George Washington part 2
He established the precedent of the president serving only two terms, which was followed until Franklin D. Roosevelt’s presidency.
Washington was an advocate for religious freedom and tolerance.
He was known for his stoic and calm demeanor, even in challenging situations.
Washington had a reputation for being an excellent judge of character.
He adopted two children, John Parke Custis and Eleanor Parke Custis, after marrying Martha Custis.
Washington was an advocate for the abolition of slavery and eventually freed all his slaves in his will upon his wife’s death.
He was an accomplished surveyor and helped to establish the boundaries of several states.
Washington suffered from various ailments throughout his life, including malaria, dysentery, and smallpox.
He died on December 14, 1799, at the age of 67.
Washington’s body was originally interred at Mount Vernon but was later moved to a specially built mausoleum.
He is the only president to have received military promotions after his death.
Washington was the first president to establish a cabinet, including the positions of Secretary of State, Secretary of the Treasury, and Secretary of War.
He established the first national bank, the Bank of the United States, in 179
Washington signed the Jay Treaty, which improved relations between the United States and Great Britain.
He owned and operated one of the largest whiskey distilleries in America at the time.
Washington was an avid fisherman and enjoyed spending time on the Potomac River.
He was an early advocate for the construction of a canal connecting the Potomac and Ohio rivers.
Washington was known for his punctuality and strict adherence to schedules.
He often wore a navy blue suit with buff-colored stockings, which became his signature style.
Washington’s famous crossing of the Delaware River took place on December 25, 1776, during the Revolutionary War.
He was instrumental in establishing the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Washington was an accomplished equestrian and had a stable of fine horses.
He was an enthusiastic farmer and implemented progressive agricultural practices at Mount Vernon.
Washington was an honorary citizen of France, a rare honor at the time.
He was an advocate for the establishment of a national university but saw it as a project to be undertaken after his presidency.
Washington’s legacy as a military leader, statesman, and symbol of the American Revolution continues to be celebrated and studied today.
