Monday, February 19, 2018

Greetings Infomaniacs,

Washington's Birthday is a United States federal holiday celebrated on the third Monday of February in honor of George Washington, the first President of the United States, who was born on February 22, 1732.

Enjoy!

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WHO SAID IT?
QUOTE: "Perhaps the strongest feature in his character was prudence, never acting until every circumstance, every consideration was maturely weighed... His integrity was most pure, his justice the most inflexible I have ever known, no motives of interest or consanguinity, of friendship or hatred, being able to bias his decision."

HINT: (1743-1826) the principal author of the Declaration of Independence and later served as the third President of the United States from 1801 to 1809.

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RANDOM TIDBITS
George Washington was born on February 22, 1732, before the Virginia colonies switched from the "Old Style" Julian calendar to the "New Style" Gregorian calendar, which is the one we use today. When the government finally adopted the New Style, all dates were moved back 11 days. Thus Washington's actual birth date became February 11th. Washington preferred the 2-22 of the old calendar, however, so his birthday has been celebrated on that day ever since.

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Few details about Washington's early education are known, although children of prosperous families like his typically were taught at home by private tutors or attended private schools. It is believed he finished his formal schooling at around age 15.

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As a teenager, Washington, who had shown an aptitude for mathematics, became a successful surveyor. His surveying expeditions into the Virginia wilderness earned him enough money to begin acquiring land of his own.

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In December 1752, Washington, who had no previous military experience, was made a commander of the Virginia militia. He saw action in the French and Indian War and was eventually put in charge of all of Virginia's militia forces. By 1759, Washington had resigned his commission, returned to Mount Vernon and was elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses, where he served until 1774.

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His friends called him "General" even his wife, Martha (at least in public). We don't know what she called him privately, though, because she burned their letters after her beloved husband died.

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Washington was one of the most successful liquor distributors in the new nation. He built a state-of-the-art distillery at Mt. Vernon, where he made rye whiskey, apple brandy and peach brandy. The distillery has been restored in recent years, and is now open to visitors.

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In addition to having our nation's capital named after him, George also had the following named after him as well: 33 counties, 7 mountains, 9 colleges, 121 post offices.




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*** Weekly Mind-Scrambler ***
They say I came from Africa.
I suppose that may be true.
But the type I am was mostly played
In a place where grass is blue.
Of wood and pearl, skin and steel,
You could say I am high strung.
My neck looks like a ladder,
With brass on every rung.

Submit your answer by clicking: TheDailyTease

Answer will be posted in Friday's Trivia Today. Good Luck! If your name appears in Friday's newsletter, EMAIL MICHELE your complete name and address to be shipped your prize.

Be sure to put "Winner" in the subject line.

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WHO SAID IT?
QUOTE: "Perhaps the strongest feature in his character was prudence, never acting until every circumstance, every consideration was maturely weighed... His integrity was most pure, his justice the most inflexible I have ever known, no motives of interest or consanguinity, of friendship or hatred, being able to bias his decision."

ANSWER: Thomas Jefferson on George Washington