Whew! It’s getting too serious in here.
For the Father of the Country, time to lighten up and post a few fun and interesting facts. (Of course I can’t vouch for the truth of any of these, so take them for what they’re worth.)
• George Washington once said, "My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her."
• George Washington was in command of the first U.S. "navy," created in 1775. It started with 4 ships. The ships were sold after the war and the "real" navy began in 1798.
• When George Washington was elected President, there was a king in France, a czarina in Russia, an emperor in China, and a shogun in Japan. Only the office of President remains.
• At his inauguration, Washington had only one tooth. At various times he wore dentures made of human or animal teeth, ivory or lead -- never wood.
• The six white horses in Washington's stables had their teeth brushed every morning on Washington's orders.
• (Last three facts came from this site.)
• Washington rejected a movement among army officers to make him king of the United States. (Hey, what did they know from a president?)
• George Washington started school when he was six years old. He left school at 15 to become a surveyor because his mother couldn't afford to send him to college.
• At 26, he married Martha Curtis, a widow who already had two children, Jackie and Patsy. Washington never had any children of his own.
• (Last two facts came from this site.)
• Believing that shaking hands was beneath a president, Washington bowed to his visitors.
UPDATE: Basil points out that this day is still officially called Washington's Birthday and gives a detailed account of how it came to be colloquially called "Presidents' Day."
