Interesting Facts About George Washington

George Washington remains one of the most outstanding figures in American history, whose personality is surrounded by numerous legends and little-known details. The first president of the United States of America lived a life full of incredible events that shaped not only his fate but also the future of an entire nation. Fascinating facts about George Washington reveal to us a person with his strengths and weaknesses, unique habits and unexpected passions. From his early years to the presidency, every stage of this distinguished American’s life hides interesting details that you might not have known. Get ready to learn about the real Washington, who goes far beyond the boundaries of school textbooks and official portraits.

• George Washington never had a higher education and was the only Founding Father president without a university degree. His formal education ended at approximately 15 years old, after which he began working as a surveyor. Despite the lack of academic preparation, Washington compensated for this with self-education and practical experience that he gained throughout his life.
• In his youth, Washington dreamed of a career as a British officer and even applied for service in the royal army. His dreams were never realized, as the British rarely accepted colonists for officer positions. This rejection may have changed the course of history, since Washington later led the army against Britain in the War of Independence.
• Washington was one of the wealthiest people in colonial America, owning over 20,000 hectares of land. His wealth increased significantly after marrying the wealthy widow Martha Custis in 1759. At the time of his death, his assets were valued at over 500,000 dollars, which by modern standards would amount to tens of millions.
• Washington’s teeth became the subject of numerous legends, but he never wore wooden dentures. His dental prosthetics were made from human teeth, animal teeth, ivory and lead. One of his dentures partially contained hippopotamus teeth, which was a common practice at that time for wealthy people.
• Washington was a passionate dance enthusiast and could dance for hours without a break at balls and receptions. Contemporaries noted his refined movements and endurance on the dance floor. Even during difficult war years, he found time to participate in dance evenings, considering this an important part of social life.
• During the Revolutionary War, Washington created one of the first American spy networks called the Culper Ring. This secret organization used invisible ink, ciphers and code names to transmit information. Their activities significantly helped the Americans achieve victory over British forces.
• Washington personally wrote rules of civility and decent behavior at the age of 16, which numbered 110 points. These rules covered everything from table manners to behavior in society. He adhered to many of these principles throughout his life and they shaped his reputation as a gentleman.
• Despite his status as father of the nation, Washington never had biological children, although he raised Martha’s two children from her first marriage. Historians suggest that infertility could have been a consequence of an illness suffered in youth. He became an adoptive father to John and Martha Custis and cared for them greatly.
• Washington owned a distillery that by the end of his life became one of the largest in America. The enterprise produced approximately 42,000 liters of whiskey annually and brought significant profit. Today, this distillery has been restored at Mount Vernon as a historic site.
• During his inauguration as first president in 1789, Washington was so excited that he trembled and could barely deliver his speech. Witnesses described that he was pale and nervous throughout the entire ceremony. After the oath, he added the phrase “So help me God,” which was not part of the official text, but became a tradition for future presidents.
• Washington was the only president who received 100 percent of the Electoral College votes in both of his elections. No other president in US history has repeated this achievement. His unanimous election reflected the extraordinary respect and trust he enjoyed among the nation’s founders.
• Washington’s height was approximately 188 centimeters, which made him one of the tallest presidents in US history. In those days, such height was quite rare and added to his imposing appearance. His physical presence made a strong impression on contemporaries and enhanced his natural leadership qualities.
• Washington survived several serious illnesses throughout his life, including smallpox, tuberculosis, malaria and dysentery. At age 17, he contracted smallpox during a trip to Barbados, which left scars on his face. This disease also provided him with immunity during the smallpox epidemic among troops in the Revolutionary War.
• The first president established many traditions that remain to this day, including the address “Mr. President.” He consciously rejected royal titles and ostentatious trappings of power. Washington also created the precedent of two presidential terms, which was observed until Franklin Roosevelt.
• Washington was one of the few slave owners among the founders who freed his slaves by will. At the time of his death, there were 317 slaves at Mount Vernon, of which 123 belonged directly to him. His will provided for the emancipation of his slaves after the death of his wife Martha.
• Washington’s last words were very practical and concerned his burial. He said “Tis well” before dying on December 14, 1799, at the age of 67. The cause of death was an acute throat infection, possibly epiglottitis, complicated by aggressive bloodletting treatment.
• Washington was a passionate animal breeder and experimented with developing new breeds of mules. He received a Spanish donkey as a gift from the King of Spain and used it to improve American breeds. His mules became so valuable that he could sell them at high prices.
• The first president had reddish hair in his youth, not white as often depicted in portraits. By the time of the presidency, his hair had naturally grayed. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Washington did not wear a wig but powdered his own hair with white powder.
• Washington was the only president who did not live in the White House, as construction was not completed during his tenure in office. He personally chose the location for the future capital and approved the White House design. The first president to move into the White House was John Adams in 1800.
• During the Revolutionary War, Washington personally paid money to his soldiers out of his own pocket when Congress could not provide funding. He refused a salary as commander-in-chief, asking only for expense reimbursement. By the end of the war, his expenses amounted to approximately 450,000 dollars, a huge sum at that time.
• Washington was a talented horseman and was considered one of the best riders in the colonies. Thomas Jefferson called him the best horseman of his generation. He could ride for hours, inspecting his plantations and commanding troops from the saddle.
• The first president never traveled beyond the present United States, except for one trip to Barbados in his youth. This 1751 journey with his tuberculosis-stricken brother remained his only international trip. During this journey, he contracted smallpox, which nearly took his life.
• Washington had a passion for fox hunting and kept a large pack of hunting dogs at Mount Vernon. He personally engaged in breeding hounds and gave them unusual names. Among his dogs’ names were Sweet Lips, Venus and Tipsy.
• In his will, Washington bequeathed funds to create a national university in the capital, but Congress never fulfilled this wish. He believed that such a university would help unite the country and educate future leaders. Part of his shares in the Potomac Company were designated to finance this project.
• Washington owned one of the largest libraries in colonial America, which numbered over 900 books. His collection covered history, agriculture, philosophy and military affairs. He was an avid reader and often ordered new books from London.

These incredible facts about George Washington demonstrate the multifaceted nature of his personality and life path, which goes far beyond textbook history. The first president was not only a political leader but also a person with unique interests, weaknesses and achievements, which makes him an even more interesting historical figure. The fascinating details of his life remind us that even the most outstanding personalities remain living people with their dreams, fears and aspirations. Having learned these facts, you could see that real history is always more interesting than legends and myths.