Top 10 Facts About George Washington

One of the Founding Fathers of America, George Washington was the first President of the United States, as well as a military officer and statesman, who lived from 22 February 1732 to 14 December 1799. He is famous for a range of achievements, from commanding the Continental Army during the American Revolution to taking part in the convention that drafted the Constitution of the United States.

1. George Washington was the first President of the United States

As the first person to be elected to the role of the President of the United States, he served two terms from 1789 to 1797. He played a crucial part in establishing the role of the president, as well as putting in place many of the traditions and norms that presidents follow to this day.

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2. He was Commander in Chief before he was President

While the President today also inhabits the role of Commander in Chief, Washington had that role before the Republic was founded as a leader of the Continental Army during the American Revolution. He played a major part in winning America’s independence and securing victory over the British and has gone down in history as one of the greatest military leaders in American history.

3. He is known as the “Father of His Country”

Given that he played a huge role in becoming America’s first president, helping to create the US Constitution, and was a leader during the American Revolution, he earned the title Father of His Country,” a term of respect used by many to this day.

4. George Washington owned slaves

Like many of the wealthy classes at the time, Washington was a slave owner and owned a plantation. He is recorded to have recognised the moral failures of slavery, but he did not free his own slaves until the moment of his death.

5. He’s usually shown on horseback

A tradition amongst military leaders, George Washington is frequently shown on horseback in statues and paintings.

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6. George Washington never lived in the White House

While the White House is famous for being the official resident of the President of the United States, it wasn’t built until after Washington’s presidency, so he never lived there.

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7. He had wooden teeth

While called wooden teeth, the teeth themselves were not actually made of wood but were made up of a range of materials, including human teeth, animal teeth, and ivory.

8. He’s one of the four heads on Mount Rushmore

Mount Rushmore is a very famous US landmark, a mountain with four heads carved in it. Washington is one of the Presidents depicted on Mount Rushmore, along with Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, and Theodore Roosevelt.

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9. He was known for his kindness to animals

Washington had many dogs, such as French Bulldog called Madame Moose, a greyhound called Sweet Lips, and more. He also had several horses, and his close relationship with these animals has become famous as he wrote about them regularly in his diaries and letters.

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10. Washington was famous for dancing

As respected he is, George Washington was also known for his love of dancing. A skilled dancer who went to balls and events often, it’s even written in one of his letters that he danced until 4 o’clock in the morning.

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