Insights on the Father of His Country

As Americans observe Presidents’ Day on Feb. 16, 2026 — officially Washington’s Birthday — the legacy of George Washington endures as the nation’s foundational figure. Known as the Father of His Country, Washington led the Continental Army to victory in the Revolutionary War, presided over the Constitutional Convention and served as the first president of the United States from 1789 to 1797.

Born Feb. 22, 1732, in Westmoreland County, Virginia, Washington rose from a modest planter’s son to become an iconic symbol of leadership, integrity and self-sacrifice. While myths like the cherry tree confession and wooden teeth persist, historical records reveal a more nuanced man: a self-educated surveyor, fearless commander, innovative farmer and reluctant politician who set enduring precedents for the presidency.

Here are 10 key things to know about George Washington, drawn from primary sources, Mount Vernon records and scholarly accounts.

1. He was largely self-educated. Washington’s formal schooling ended around age 15 after his father’s death in 1743 left limited resources for further education. Unlike his half-brothers who studied abroad, he pursued knowledge independently through reading, correspondence and practical experience. He studied military tactics, agriculture and governance throughout his life, building expertise that served him as a soldier, farmer and president.
2. His birthday shifted due to calendar changes. Washington was born Feb. 11, 1731, under the old Julian calendar used in colonial Virginia. The 1752 adoption of the Gregorian calendar added 11 days and adjusted the new year start, moving his recognized birthday to Feb. 22, 1732. He preferred the original date, but Feb. 22 became the standard celebration.
3. He had no biological children. Washington married widow Martha Custis in 1759, raising her two children from her previous marriage and later her grandchildren. He fathered no children of his own, possibly due to infertility from smallpox or other illnesses. Despite this, he treated his stepfamily as his own and arranged for the eventual freedom of enslaved people in his will.
4. He was an accomplished surveyor and entrepreneur. At 16, Washington began his career surveying land in Virginia’s frontier, earning income and gaining knowledge of western territories. He later became a successful farmer at Mount Vernon, experimenting with crops, introducing mule breeding to the United States and operating one of the nation’s largest whiskey distilleries by the 1790s.
5. He was fearless in battle and survived close calls. Washington displayed remarkable courage during the French and Indian War and the Revolution. At the 1755 Battle of Monongahela, bullets tore through his coat and horses were shot from under him, yet he emerged unscathed. He led daring retreats and bold maneuvers that preserved the Continental Army, including crossing the Delaware River for the 1776 Trenton victory.
6. He owned enslaved people but freed them in his will. Washington inherited his first enslaved people at age 11 and owned hundreds over his lifetime. At Mount Vernon, enslaved labor supported his plantation. Influenced by Revolutionary ideals and personal reflections, he arranged in his will for all enslaved people he owned to be freed upon Martha’s death, one of the few Founding Fathers to take such action.
7. His false teeth were not wooden. A persistent myth claims Washington’s dentures were made of wood. In reality, they were crafted from materials including human teeth (purchased from enslaved people and others), ivory, bone and metal. Severe dental problems plagued him; by his inauguration, he had only one natural tooth left.
8. He was unanimously elected president — twice. In 1789 and 1796, Washington received every electoral vote cast, the only president to achieve unanimous election. He never actively campaigned and accepted the role reluctantly, viewing it as a duty rather than ambition. His two terms established the two-term tradition, later codified in the 22nd Amendment.
9. He was an excellent dancer and athlete. Standing about 6 feet 2 inches tall — exceptional for his era — Washington was athletic, excelling in horsemanship, wrestling and other sports. Contemporaries praised his grace on the dance floor, where he enjoyed minuets and other dances, often partnering with women at social events with Martha’s approval.
10. He set critical precedents by stepping down. After two terms, Washington voluntarily retired in 1797, rejecting calls for a third term or monarchy-like power. His Farewell Address warned against political parties, foreign entanglements and sectionalism. By peacefully transferring power, he reinforced republican principles and democratic governance.

Washington died Dec. 14, 1799, at Mount Vernon from a throat infection, after insisting no revival attempts be made if he appeared dead — reflecting his fear of being buried alive. His estate freed the enslaved people he owned the following year.

On this Presidents’ Day, Washington’s example of selfless service, resilience and restraint remains relevant. As the only president with a state named in his honor and his image on the dollar bill and quarter, he embodies enduring American values amid ongoing national reflection.