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The Real George Washington

OverviewOverviewVideoVideoPhotosPhotosFactsFacts Soldiers representing National Geographic Channel show The Real George Washington

Soldiers representing National Geographic Channel show The Real George Washington

FOUNDING FATHER FACTS

Of all the legendary figures in American history, George Washington is in a class by himself. Today, archaeologists, scientists, and historians are uncovering new clues about the real George Washington.

George Washington was the only founding father to commercially operate a distillery and produce whisky.

George Washington was a superb dancer. He loved slow dances like the minuet and faster ones like the Irish jig. During an Army dance marathon, he was the last man standing after dancing for three hours straight.

One of Washington?s portrait artists remarked that George Washington had a lazy eye. This was confirmed by one of Washington?s aides, John Lawrence.

Washington only left the country once, visiting Barbados with his brother, Lawrence. There, he contracted smallpox, which left him scarred for life.

George Washington wasn?t afraid of dying on the battlefield. The first time he was in combat he wrote to his favorite brother and said, "I heard the bullets whistle. Believe me there is something charming in the sound." He was a front line general in the literal sense of the word.

Upon her husband?s death, Martha Washington burned almost all of their personal correspondence to protect their privacy ? over 600 letters.

During the winter at Valley Forge, Washington faced another threat besides the elements. His own generals banded together to try to replace him with General Horatio Gates. Washington diffused this cabal using a combination of back channels and political savvy.

George Washington never called the White House home. It was not completed until after his death.

Despite his interest in having kids, the founding father never had children of his own. Some suspect Washington was sterile.

National Geographic Channel