Beacon News

In observance of Presidents' Day, Beacon Consulting Group will be closed on Monday, Feb. 18th. While we are away, please enjoy some of these fun, lesser-known facts about George Washington and Presidents' Day.

• The official designation of the Federal Holiday observed on the third Monday of February originally was, and still is today, Washington’s Birthday.
  
  
• This day is a state holiday in most states, with official names including Washington's Birthday, Presidents' Day, President's Day, and Washington's and Lincoln's Birthday. Depending upon the state, the holiday might officially celebrate Washington alone, Washington and Lincoln (whose birthday is February 12), or some other combination of U.S. presidents.
  
  
• In 1789, George Washington earned $25,000 as President of the U.S (2% of the total U.S. budget at the time). In current dollars, that would be more than $725,000! (source: Christian Science Monitor)
  
  
• George Washington had no middle name.
  
  
• George Washington wanted to join the Royal Navy (at age 14), but his mother would not let him. In September 1746, his half-brother Lawrence and his friend (Colonel William Fairfax), had a plan for 14-year-old George to join the Royal Navy by signing up as a midshipmen on a frigate anchored off the Virginia coast. His mother did not feel this was a good career and forbid George from joining the Navy. Thank you George's Mom!
  
  
• Washington spent his early working years as a professional surveyor, learning the profession starting at age 16. During his life, Washington created approximately 199 land surveys.
  
  
• Washington owned a Whiskey Distillery. It was located at Mount Vernon (his estate), opened in 1798 and was profitable. According to one source, it distilled more than 11,000 gallons a year in 1799 (making it one of the largest distilleries in the country at the time). A distillery has been reconstructed at Mt. Vernon and is open for public tours April through October.
  
  
• Washington did not chop down a Cherry Tree. This myth has its origin in a made-up story found in an early (and inaccurate) biography about Washington (published after his death).
  
  
• Washington was mostly self educated. When his father died in 1743, little money was left to fund the education of 11-year-old George. Therefore, Washington’s schooling ended by the time he was 15. However, his pursuit of knowledge continued throughout his life. He read many books in order to become a better soldier, farmer, and president.
  
  
• George liked to get his groove on. According to historians, Washington loved entertainment, dancing and the company of others. There are accounts of his dancing late into the night at various balls, cotillions, and parties. He loved theater and attended plays of all kinds throughout his life.
  
  
• Washington is reported to have had blue-gray eyes, stood 6' 2" tall and weighed approximately 200 lbs. He did not wear a "wig" but did powder his long hair (the style at the time).
  
  
• Toothaches plagued Washington for years. When he was 57, he reportedly had the last of his teeth pulled. From then on, he wore ivory false teeth set in a silver plate. He did not have wooden teeth.
  
  
• Washington suffered from many ailments during his life: diphtheria, tuberculosis, smallpox, dysentery, malaria, tonsillitis, carbuncle, pneumonia, and epiglottitis—among others.
  
  
• Although Washington helped to plan our nation's capital city (Washington D.C.) and the White House, he never lived there. New York City and, later, Philadelphia were the nation's capitals while he was president.
  
  
• John Adams, the second president of the U.S., was the firs president to live in the White House. The White House was still under construction when he and his wife Abigail moved in during November of 1800. At that time, it was the largest residential house in the U.S.
  
  
• Washington owned more than 50,000 acres. Some historians believe that Washington was the richest president in American history. He owned land in the western portions of Virginia and what is now West Virginia, as well as in Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, Kentucky, and the Ohio country.
  
  Sources for the fun facts above:
  (1) 25 Things You Probably Didn't Know About George Washington
  (2) Key Facts about George Washington
  (3) 7 Fun Facts About George Washington
  (4) 10 Things You Really Ought to Know about George Washington