Fact Frenzy

Frenzy presents some general facts about George Washington, the first president of the United States.

• George Washington was the first president of the United States.
• Born on February 22, 1732.
• Died on December 14, 1799
• He was 67 years old when he died, from a throat infection.
• Took the oath of office on April 30, 1789, at age 57.
• Served as president 8 years in office, until 1797.
• Washington retired from presidency, because he grew tired of politics — political parties were beginning to develop.
• Commissioned as Lieutenant Colonel in 1754.
• Married a widow, whose name was Martha Dandridge Custis.
• Elected Commander in Chief of the Continental Army in May 1775.
• George Washington’s election to presidency by the first Electoral College was unanimous.
• Washington urged his countrymen to renounce excessive party spirit in his Farewell Address, and warned against long-term alliances regarding foreign affairs.
• George Washington’s image was incorporated into the design change of currency in 1869 on the $1 United States Note, which also contained the image of Christopher Columbus on the side. The size of the note then was larger than the bills of today — 189 × 79 mm, and originally featured the portrait of Salmon P. Chase, Treasury Secretary under Abraham Lincoln.
• George Washington’s wife, Marth Washington became the first woman to appear on U.S. currency. It was the $1 Silver Certificate created in 1886.
• George and Martha Washington appeared together on the reverse side of the 1896 “Educational Series” Silver Certificate.
• George Washington is the president on the current $1 bill, or “Federal Reserve Note”. Production of this style of currency began in 1963, as silver certificates were being phased out.
• George Washington is one of the presidents depicted on Mt. Rushmore.
• His plantation (Mt. Vernon), had 317 slaves by the time George Washington died. However, he eventually only sold slaves with their consent so as not to break up slave families. He was known to privately dislike slavery, but never publicly criticized it.
• George Washington was a privately religious man and attended Christian church gatherings regularly, with few exceptions (communion Sundays). He also belonged to Freemasonry, an esoteric society.
• George Washington showed interest in the game of cricket, which was popular in America during his time.
• Contrary to myth, George Washington’s teeth were not made out of wood. He did in fact have several sets of false teeth that were made of other materials which were known be other human teeth, animal teeth, and lead.
• George Washington did not wear a powdered wig (or any wig), which was fashionable during his time. However, he did powder his own hair.
• Did George Washington chop down a cherry tree? Though some argue the story, written by Parson Weems in the 1800’s, Weems’ story reports he merely hacked at the tree with a hatchet given to him by his father, which eventually caused the tree’s death.

- Fact Frenzy

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