President’s Day Also Coming Up

George Washington (1732–1799) — the First U.S. President

🍦 He loved ice cream (hardly alone)

Washington reportedly spent about $200 in one year on ice cream — an enormous amount of money back then!

His “wooden teeth” were a myth

He didn’t have wooden teeth at all — his dentures were made from human teeth, animal teeth (cow/horse), ivory, and metal, and were very uncomfortable.

🕵 He was a spymaster

During the Revolutionary War, Washington ran an early intelligence network with invisible ink, secret agents (even a woman code-named Agent 355), and double agents — way ahead of his time.

♥ He loved to dance

Contemporary accounts say Washington was an accomplished dancer — graceful despite his tall, athletic frame — and often the center of attention at balls and assemblies. On tours through the northern and southern states during his presidency, Washington regularly attended evening balls, dancing late into the night, charming local guests with his moves.

He never had biological kids

Washington didn’t have children of his own — but he became a devoted step-father to Martha’s children and wrote them guidance on everything from school to romance.

Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865) — the 16th U.S. President

🏋 He was a wrestling champ

Before politics, Lincoln was respected as a wrestler in Illinois — reportedly losing only one match in dozens of contests!

🎩 His hat was practical

Lincoln often stored important documents and notes inside his tall stovepipe hat — like a 19th-century briefcase!

🛠 He’s the only U.S. president with a patent

Lincoln invented a device to help boats navigate shallow water and received U.S. Patent No. 6469 — the only patent ever held by a U.S. president!

📉 He had a lot of losses before winning

Lincoln lost five elections before finally becoming president.

😺 He loved cats … and once fed one with a gold fork at a formal dinner — and joked about it! (Accounts vary, but it captures his personality and love of animals.)