Born February 22 — 22 Surprising Facts About George Washington

22 Things You Didn’t Know About George Washington Born February 22

Today, February 22nd, is George Washington's Birthday. Most people know George Washington as the first U.S. president and Revolutionary War commander. But beyond those textbook facts lies a surprisingly human and quirky figure. Here are 22 lesser-known facts about our first President that give us a look at the "real" George Washington beyond the myth.

1. He Danced for Three Hours Straight. In 1758, Washington reportedly danced continuously at a celebration after winning election to Virginia’s legislature.

2. He Loved Dogs With Playful Names. At Mount Vernon, his foxhounds were named Drunkard, Tipler, Taster, and Sweet Lips.

3. His Dentures Were Not Made of Wood. Contrary to myth, they were made from ivory, human teeth, lead, and gold fittings.

4. He Struggled With Lifelong Dental Pain. Washington began losing teeth in his twenties and endured chronic infections, swelling, and discomfort for decades — which often affected his mood and facial expressions.

5. He Had a Fierce Temper. Although disciplined in public, Washington was known to swear intensely during battlefield stress.

6. He Was Insecure About His Education. Unlike many Founding Fathers, he never attended college and privately worried about his lack of formal schooling.

7. He Personally Answered Citizen Letters. Washington often responded to correspondence himself, shaping early expectations of presidential accessibility.

8. He Wrote Love Letters Before He Was Famous. As a young man, Washington copied romantic phrases into a notebook and practiced refined language, suggesting he cared deeply about impression and courtship long before politics.

9. He Was Obsessed With Manners as a Teenager. At age 14, he hand-copied a list of 110 “Rules of Civility” that governed behavior, posture, and social conduct — rules he reportedly tried to live by his entire life.

10. He Was Exceptionally Tall for the 18th Century. At 6’2”, he stood well above the average height of his era.

11. He Was the Only President Unanimously Elected — Twice. He received 100% of the electoral vote in both 1789 and 1792.

12. He Set the Two-Term Presidential Tradition. Washington voluntarily stepped down after two terms, establishing a precedent later written into the Constitution.

13. He Created the First Presidential Cabinet. He appointed leaders such as Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson, shaping the structure of the executive branch to this very day.

14. He Nearly Retired After One Term. Exhausted by political infighting, Washington seriously considered stepping down before serving a second term.

15.  He Was Terrified of Public Criticism. Washington followed newspaper attacks on him closely and was deeply bothered by accusations that he wanted to be a king.
    
    
16. He Was Extremely Sensitive About His Reputation. Washington carefully tracked how history would remember him and worked intentionally to protect his legacy.
    
    
17. He Struggled With Being Childless. Washington and Martha had no children together, and historians note this was a private disappointment.
    
    
18. He Was Obsessed With His Appearance. He powdered his hair, invested heavily in tailored clothing, and paid close attention to posture and presentation because he believed dignity reinforced authority.
    
    
19. He Accidentally Set Fire to His Own Wig. Hair powder was flammable, and during one dressing mishap, Washington reportedly ignited his powdered hair near a flame — an awkward reminder that 18th-century grooming was hazardous.
    
    
20. He Once Spent a Small Fortune on Imported Cherries. Long before the cherry tree myth, Washington ordered expensive fruit and luxury goods from overseas to maintain status at Mount Vernon. 
    
    
21. He Nearly Went Bankrupt More Than Once. Despite being considered wealthy, Washington was frequently cash-poor. He struggled with debt, fluctuating crop markets, and overseas credit. (Maybe from ordering those imported cherries.)
    
    
22. He Was Extremely Competitive at Games. Washington loved card games and was known to play intensely — and for money. He did not enjoy losing.

George Washington may feel larger than life, but the more we look at the details, the more human he becomes. From personal struggles to surprising habits, there’s always more to the story than what we learned in school. Hopefully a few of these facts gave you a new perspective on our first president.