Top 10 Lesser Known Facts About George Washington

Even as American values change and history is continually revised by new discoveries, George Washington remains one of the most venerated figures in human history. A highly esteemed soldier and general who became a pioneer politician, he appeals both to the intellectual types and those who liked to prove their worth through combat. Unfortunately, for all his acclaim, the casual reader only gets a vague impression of what he was like as a human. It’s unfortunate, because it leaves out a number of very interesting aspects of the life of a fascinating (if deeply flawed) man. Unfortunate for the average person, that is, not for George Washington. His legacy has literally been set in stone. So, let’s get to learning more about America’s most prominent Founding Father.

Entertaining and educational top 10 lists from TopTenzNet!

Other TopTenz Videos:

Top 10 Worst American Presidents

Top 10 GENERALS of Western HISTORY

Coming up:

10. Started the First Worldwide War
9. Signed a Murder Confession
8. Did Not Have Wooden Teeth: Had Something Almost Worse
7. Signed the Most Slavery-Friendly Law
6. Spent Final Years Pursuing a Single Escaped Slave
5. Massive Moonshine Distiller
4. HATED Becoming the President
3. Presidency Massively Criticized by Other Founding Fathers
2. Invented Farming Equipment and Designs
1. Experimental Blood Transfusion Proposal

Source/Further reading:

[rychei]

Hemp was NOT worthless. If we could grow it again we could MAKE things like rope, clothing and high quality paper.

[OMEGATHENIETZCHIAN]

My favorite American history story actually surrounds Washington and a british "sniper" who had the one-day president in his sights. The sniper recounted that he could not shoot the man in so dishonorable a way because Washington was "too stately" he only learned later who it was he almost killed.

[fbc]

After all that I still have no change in my view of this man ..Never thought he was a saint but a man of his time and one who without the United States would not exist.

[samir.b]

Simon - I love both this and today I found out. You are an incredibly effective presenter and teacher and you are a major inspiration to me in my own ambitions.

Thanks for your videos and keep up the good work!

[killer]

With 4, that's a big fat duh. He was the only president to walk away after 2 terms. Every president after him and before FDR followed his example and stayed in for a max of 2 terms assuming they weren't assassinated. FDR's 4-term tenure is the reason for the 22nd amendment to the constitution.

[elliotsoldaccount]

Secretary of the treasury?
TREASURY SECRETARY WASHINGTONS THE PRESIDENT

[brokenbridge]

I had no idea that Washington invented something to help with farming. That was the only thing, I didn't know about him.

[Martin-jkng]

Also the only founder to free his slaves upon his death. He set aside a portion of his estate for them and stipulated they should be taught a profitable trade and to read.

[mar-keywholebrook]

somebody call Vsauce this guy stole his weird Jewish look.

[SalamanderMagic]

I didn't realize this was posted very recently and for a second I was confused by the lack of comments and views. Lol

[docholiday]

I knew them all, but I grew up near Mt Vernon and I have been there dozens of times and heard all of these and more stories a great place to visit.

[HackingAtLife]

You didn’t mention the fact that he was promoted to ‘General of the Armies of the United States’ posthumously after his death

[williamsanders]

Toured Mount Vernon in 2002. Paid my respects to President Washington and First Lady.

[blueflare]

One of my favorite facts about Washington is that he took Hamilton and Jefferson on a fishing trip. I wonder how awkward that must have been.

[flyesouisi]

The fact that he defrauded his soldiers out of prime land should be on your list. Also the fact that his support from the Free masons saved his sorry ass multiple times.

[lordlehuezerher]

*TFW you learn more from the musical than vids like these and school*

[christopherhall]

funny you mention Sam Adams, do a video about how he drove his family brewery into the ground XD

[venome]

the most important fact:
without L'Marquis de Lafayette, Washington would've lost the war of American independence, leaving the America as a British colony ....

[mathieuleader]

America was an invention of Northwest England because Washington was born in Lancashire

[circuscase]

That's nice, ....A Limey telling us about the Founder of our country....You go