Interesting Facts About Our Founding Fathers
A little “did you know” history lesson
America’s Founding Fathers shaped our nation from the moment it was born, just as many of your fathers shaped who you are today. In today’s article, we’re revealing some little known facts about the men who built and fought for our country.
If you’re aware of their importance but are lacking in specifics, we’ve compiled a laundry list of facts, trivia, and lesser known information about this formidable group. How many of these facts are you familiar with?
Fact #1: John Hancock has become synonymous with personal signatures
The most likely reason is that his name takes up six square inches on the Declaration of Independence, a huge chunk of real estate in comparison to the other signers. For example, Sam Adams required only point six square inches.
Nobody knows why Hancock used such broad strokes, but it’s possible he didn’t realize the document would eventually require fifty six signatures.
Fact #2: John Hancock was more famous for being a smuggler
To avoid excessive British taxation, Hancock frequently brought over goods such as glass, paper, and tea in secret.
Fact #3: The British had a price on John Hancock’s head
Because of Hancock’s smuggling activities, the British wished to see his head hung on the proverbial stake. Hancock was said to be irritated about the British resentment. The 500 British pound price tag on his head seemed insultingly low to him.
Fact #4: John Adams was the first president to live in the White House
Adams was the first president to occupy the White House, but construction delays kept him there until 1800. He was only in office for five months after moving in. Juno and Satan were also the first dogs to live in the White House.
Fact #5: Benjamin Franklin didn’t believe in free will
While all of the Founding Fathers are known for championing the concept of liberty and individual choice, Benjamin Franklin appears to have been late to the party.
Franklin self-published a pamphlet titled A Dissertation Upon Liberty and Necessity, Pleasure and Pain in 1725, when he was only 19 years old, arguing that humans lacked free will and were not responsible for their actions.
Maturity won out, and Franklin later burned nearly every copy of the booklet he could find.
Fact #6: Ben Franklin (sarcastically) thought highly of flatulence
Franklin also wrote “Fart Proudly,” a mocking essay meant to irritate the Royal Academy of Brussels, which he felt was too focused on impractical science.
In it, he argued for a breakthrough in making toots smell better. He never did send it.
Fact #7: George Washington’s famous hairdo wasn’t a wig
While Washington’s ego was tempered, he still made time to look good. His famous white ‘do was not a wig, but rather his own hair, powdered white and meticulously styled every morning.
Fact #8: George Washington gave up the presidency to make whiskey
When Washington returned to private life in 1797, he established a whiskey distillery at Mount Vernon, which quickly became America’s largest whiskey distillery.
Fact #9: George Washington wasn’t optimistic the Constitution would last
Before taking office, Washington was engrossed in the Constitutional Convention, a gathering of minds tasked with expanding on the famous document that would provide concise guidelines for future legislators.
However, Washington was skeptical that it would have any long-term impact. “I do not expect the Constitution to last more than twenty years,” he said as he walked with a friend just before the convention ended in 1787.
Fact #10: Alexander Hamilton was the subject of the country’s first political sex scandal
Alexander Hamilton’s health was also good enough for him to have an affair with a married woman, Maria Reynolds, while serving as treasury secretary of the United States in 1791.
When her husband threatened to make the scandal public, Hamilton wrote and distributed a pamphlet detailing his side of the story. The Reynolds Affair was the first major political sex scandal in the United States.
Final Thoughts
What dis you think of our list? Is there anything you did not know and what are some facts you would add? If you like these posts from Fun Facts Galore, you may also like these:
Wrap Up
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