10 Things You Really Ought to Know About George Washington
Think you know the first President of the United States? Think again
Washington Crossing the Delaware Washington Crossing the Delaware (1851) by Emanuel LeutzeThe Metropolitan Museum of Art
George Washington (1732 - 1799)
Founding Father, commander of the Continental Army in the American Revolution, and the first President of the United States (1789–97). He established presidential precedents, led the 1787 Constitutional Convention, and was unanimously elected twice. But here are some interesting things you might not know about him...
1. He never chopped down a cherry tree
The story goes, when Washington was six years old, he received a hatchet as a gift and chopped his father’s cherry tree. His father (understandably) became angry, but George bravely said, “I cannot tell a lie…I did cut it with my hatchet." At which his father embraced him saying that his honesty was worth a thousand trees.
Mason Locke Weems, or Parson Weems, made up the cherry tree story in his biography of Washington, in 1800, shortly after his death. The Life of Washington, is described as "the point of origin for many long-held myths about Washington."
2. Washington's birthday was not February 22, 1732
Washington was actually born on February 11, 1731. However, when the Julian calendar was changed, in the colonies, to the Gregorian calendar in 1752, his birthday moved 11 days to February 22.
Since his birthday fell before the old date for New Year’s Day, but after the new date for New Year’s Day, his birth year was changed to 1732. His Julian calendar birthday is celebrated in the US as "President's Day" on the third Monday in February.
3. He was an honorary citizen of France
On August 26, 1792, during the early stages of the French Revolution, the National Assembly of France granted honorary French Citizenship to "men who, through their Writings and their Courage, have Served the Cause of liberty and prepared the freedom of the people."
Individuals who were granted citizenship by the French Assembly included George Washington, Thomas Payne, Thomas Clarkson, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison. Despite the honor, Washington never visited France.
4. Before fighting the British, he fought for the British
At the age of 21, Washington was sent to lead a British colonial force against the French in Ohio. He lost, and this helped spark the Seven Years War in North America.
Washington Taking Leave of the Officers of His Army–at Francis's Tavern, Broad Street, New York, December 4th, 1783–"With a heart full of love and gratitude, I now take leave of you. I most devoutly wish that your latter days may be as prosperous and happy, as your former ones have been glorious and honorable." (1848) by Nathaniel Currier|George WashingtonThe Metropolitan Museum of Art
According to Joseph J. Ellis in his book, His Excellency: George Washington, America's first president "lost more battles than any victorious general in modern history.” Despite this, he won the war that mattered.
5. Washington didn't have wooden teeth
But he did have teeth problems. According to John Adams, he lost his teeth from cracking Brazil nuts between his jaws. By the time he became President, he only had a single tooth and a set of dentures made from cow's teeth.
In hope of finding something better, Washington contacted a dentist in Philadelphia, who made a state-of-the-art set carved, from hippopotamus tusk. For the rest of his life, he had different sets of dentures. They were made of a variety of materials, including ivory, brass, horse teeth, and even human teeth!
6. He was a master surveyor
Before becoming the father of the nation, Washington spent the early part of his career as a professional surveyor. One of the earliest maps he created was of his half-brother Lawrence Washington’s turnip garden. Over the course of his life, Washington created 199 land surveys.
Although Washington did not survey professionally after 1752, he continued utilizing his surveying skills. He completed at least 50 more surveys, often for the purpose of acquiring new land for himself, defending his property boundaries, or dividing his holdings into profitable farms.
7. First to sign the new Constitution
Though Washington was a delegate, the first to sign the Articles of Confederation was Henry Laurens. Washington’s true "first" came later: his signature leads the U.S. Constitution, signaling his role in replacing the weak Articles with a more powerful federal system.
Washington’s critique of the Articles of Confederation shaped his presidency. By signing the new Constitution first, he signaled a shift from a loose alliance to a unified nation, ensuring the central government had the authority to tax, trade, and lead effectively.
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8. Washington owned a whiskey distillery
He installed it at Mount Vernon in 1798 and it was profitable. In 1799, Washington wrote to his nephew: “Two hundred gallons of Whiskey will be ready this day for your call, and the sooner it is taken the better, as the demand for this article (in these parts) is brisk.”
Although Washington did drink whiskey, his preferred tipple was Madeira wine or beer. Like most good businessmen, he knew not to drink the profits.
9. The only president to go into battle
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau states:
"On September 19, 1794, George Washington became the only sitting U.S. president to personally lead troops in the field when he led the militia on a [...] march west over the Allegheny Mountains to the town of Bedford."
Washington commanded 13,000 to 15,000 troops to Bedford to suppress a rebellion by farmers against an excise tax on whiskey. The expedition was an anti-climactic event; the opposition evaporated before the army arrived, resulting in no actual fighting in the town.
10. He walked away from political power
The man who could have been king insisted that ultimate sovereignty lay with the people, however imperfect their judgment. At the end of the war, and again at the end of his presidency, he calmly walked away from power.
Returning to his home at Mount Vernon, he spent his final years (1797–1799) managing his 8,000-acre estate, operating his distillery and gristmill, supervising farming operations, and engaging in political, economic, and civic activities.
The Constitution (1936) by Barry FaulknerU.S. National Archives
Discover more about the first president, the other founding fathers, and more here.
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