Facts about politics

11 Facts About George Washington You May Not Know

Detail of George Washinton money portrait, shallow DOF — Photo by shippee
Photo by shippee

“Gentlemen, you will permit me to put on my spectacles, for I have grown not only gray but almost blind in the service of my country.”

These words by George Washington—showing modesty and dedication—elevated him to iconic leadership. From the battlefields to the presidency, his life was filled with wonderful moments that helped shape a young America. Here are lesser-known facts about the first president of America that speak to his character and what he did for history.

1. The Coup That Wasn’t

When Washington’s officers were on the verge of mutiny over unpaid wages, he calmed them by reading a letter from Congress, first putting on his glasses and remarking on his nearly lost vision in service to his country. The gesture moved his men to tears, dissolving the crisis.

2. Borrowed Money for the Inauguration

Despite his substantial land holdings and status, Washington had little cash and had to borrow money to attend his own inauguration in New York City. Part of his motivation to take the presidency was for the salary it provided.

3. A Legacy of Freedom

In his will, Washington directed that all his enslaved people be freed after his wife’s death. This act took effect on January 1, 1801, decades before the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863.

4. A Towering Presence

Standing over 6 feet tall and weighing around 225 pounds, Washington was much larger than the average man of his time. There is even a statue at the Smithsonian of him, in Greek style, as a muscular man.

5. Setting Limits on Power

Washington declined a third term, fearing that his death in office could imply a lifetime appointment for presidents. His choice established the two-term tradition, later solidified in the Constitution.

6. A Fatal Treatment

After developing a sore throat in 1799, Washington asked his doctors to bleed him heavily, as was common then. Sadly, losing nearly 40% of his blood within twelve hours proved fatal.

7. A Commitment to Staying Off English Soil

Allegedly, Washington claimed he would never set foot on English soil again. To honor this, when his statue was placed in London, it was set on American soil brought over for the occasion.

8. Caution Against Political Parties

Washington warned of the dangers of political parties, fearing they would divide the country and lead to conflicts between North and South—a prediction that proved prophetic.

9. Choosing “Mr. President”

Washington set a precedent by opting for the title “Mr. President” rather than “His Excellency” or “His Highness,” which some had proposed, grounding the office in simplicity.

10. The First Execution for Treason

A plot to kill or kidnap Washington was discovered during the Revolutionary War, involving members of his Life Guards. One traitor, Thomas Hickey, was the first person executed for treason in the U.S., witnessed by 20,000 people.

11. The Tooth Trouble

John Adams noted that Washington lost his teeth from cracking Brazil nuts with his jaws. By the time he took office as President, he had only one natural tooth remaining and relied on a set of dentures. Washington wore dentures, but contrary to popular belief, they weren’t wooden! His false teeth were a mix of human teeth, animal teeth, and ivory, often causing him pain. Washington even had to constantly adjust his expressions in paintings to hide his dentures, which gave him the famously stiff look in his portraits. It just goes to show the silent struggles he went through, while leading a new nation.

Five Bizarre Facts About Governors You Never Knew

Delve into the world of politics with five interesting facts about governors that reveal a blend of history, humor, and occasional bizarre trivia.

Former Alaska governor and political superstar Sarah Palin
Former Alaska governor and political superstar Sarah Palin
Photo by depositphotos.com

1. Taking the reigns at the tender age of 24, Stevens T. Mason, Michigan’s inaugural governor, holds the record for being the youngest state governor in American history. Among his initial legislative acts was an unconventional land trade where Michigan conceded territory to Ohio in return for sections of the Upper Peninsula.

2. The world of academia witnessed an unusual gubernatorial nominee in 2005. A doctoral candidate from the University of British Columbia humorously endorsed a fire hydrant for a position on the Board of Governors, even going as far as to serve as its “interpreter”. The hydrant managed to secure a whopping 900 votes, missing out on the seat by a mere six ballots.

3. Former Hollywood star Arnold Schwarzenegger, during his stint as Governor of California, faced allegations from opposing politicians that he cryptically embedded the words, ‘F*** You’, in a veto message by utilizing an acrostic-style structure. When confronted about the apparent message, Schwarzenegger’s campaign staff responded with a coy, “My goodness. What a coincidence.”

4. Wyoming’s first Democratic governor attended his inaugural ball sporting a pair of shoes crafted from human skin.

5. General James Wilkinson, who served as the governor of the Louisiana Territory, was posthumously revealed to have been a high-ranking spy for Spain, with the shocking truth only coming to light nearly three decades after his death.

6 Facts About the Psychological Differences Between Conservatives and Liberals

Embark on a journey through “6 Facts About the Psychological Differences Between Conservatives and Liberals”, as we delve into how political beliefs can shape perspectives and behaviors.

American election campaign fight as Republican versus Democrat as two boxing gloves with the elephant and donkey symbol stitched fighting for the vote of the United states presidential and government seat.
Photo by depositphotos.com

1. Conservatives, it appears, are more likely to voice complaints in daily service situations. This propensity is attributed to their higher sense of entitlement, reflecting an intriguing intersection of political ideology and customer behavior.

2. Groundbreaking neuroscience research indicates a differential empathetic response among liberals and conservatives. When picturing others in distress, liberals reportedly exhibit a higher level of empathy. Further, they tend to see emotions as integral to rational decision-making, unlike conservatives who view emotions as potential disruptors of logical thinking.

3. An interesting study suggests a link between political conservatism and difficulty distinguishing between truth and falsehood across a broad array of political topics. The research found that socially engaging truthful statements usually leaned left, while falsehoods that garnered attention predominantly favored the right.

4. The climate change debate takes an unexpected twist among conservatives when framed in terms of national security. The study revealed that conservatives express significantly greater concern about climate change when the issue is presented as a national security threat, especially when communicated by military personnel.

5. Liberals show a greater acceptance of both scientific facts and nonfactual statements, according to recent research. This implies that while conservatives might lean towards an overly skeptical standpoint, liberals may display an overabundance of openness. This openness could potentially leave liberals more vulnerable to misinformation, especially if it’s presented with a semblance of scientific legitimacy.

6. Conservatives are more inclined to click on sponsored search results and tend to place greater trust in sponsored content compared to liberals, who prefer organic content. When conducting broad searches, conservatives are more likely to click on ads, potentially due to the lower cognitive effort required.

11 Intriguing Revelations about the Life and Legacy of Ronald Reagan

A celebrated actor turned influential statesman, Ronald Reagan’s life and presidency were filled with fascinating twists and heartfelt moments. The 40th President of the United States, Reagan’s legacy reverberates far beyond politics, revealing intriguing anecdotes and hidden layers of his persona that continue to surprise and inspire.

Ronald Reagan
Photo by tcm.com

1. Known for his compassionate heart, Ronald Reagan was not just an iconic statesman, but also a generous soul. He would often write personal checks, sometimes to the tune of $4,000 or $5,000, to individuals burdened with financial hardship. Beyond his personal giving, Reagan also utilized military resources for humanitarian causes, calling upon the Air Force to aid in transporting children in urgent medical situations.

2. While revered as a Republican icon, Reagan was not always a member of the party. Interestingly, he was a Democrat up until 1962, when he was 52. In the 1984 presidential election, Reagan broke records by winning 49 states and securing a whopping 525 electoral votes, a feat unrivaled in history.

3. In 1981, when an assassination attempt landed Reagan in the hospital, his humor never wavered. After being shot by John Hinckley Jr., he joked to the attending medical team, “Please tell me you’re all Republicans.” A liberal democrat surgeon replied in the spirit of the moment, “We’re all Republicans today.”

4. Reagan’s leadership skills were evident long before he entered politics. From 1947 to 1959, he led the Screen Actors Guild, a major American labor union. During this period, Reagan also served as an FBI informer, reporting any suspected subversive activities among his Hollywood peers.

5. Like many, Reagan had his vices and his unique ways of overcoming them. To quit smoking, he took to eating Jelly Belly candies, a habit he continued during his presidency. This affection led to over 300,000 jelly beans being shipped to the White House each month.

6. Even as the President, Reagan enjoyed a good joke. When he first saw the film ‘Back to the Future,’ he was so amused by a joke about himself being president that he had the theater projectionist replay the scene for him.

7. Jerry Parr, the secret service agent credited with saving Reagan’s life during the assassination attempt, had been inspired to join the service by watching “Code of the Secret Service”. Who was the star of that film? None other than Ronald Reagan himself.

8. A coincidental twist of names occurred during Reagan’s tenure when Donald Regan, distinct from the President only by a vowel, served as the US Treasury Secretary.

9. Reagan was known for his humorous outlook, often making light of serious situations. During a soundcheck for his weekly radio address, he jokingly announced, “My fellow Americans, I’m pleased to tell you today that I’ve signed legislation that will outlaw Russia forever. We begin bombing in five minutes.”

10. Another curious detail about Ronald Reagan’s presidency was his reliance on astrological guidance for making significant governmental decisions. An astrologist from California was privy to confidential information, and her interpretations were taken into consideration in Reagan’s decision-making process. There’s some debate over the extent of her influence: Reagan claimed her role was limited to advising on scheduling, while a former staffer alleged that “almost every major move and decision … was cleared in advance” by the astrologist. The idea that astrological guidance could play a role in governmental affairs remains an intriguing and somewhat controversial aspect of Reagan’s presidency.

11. In his twilight years, as Alzheimer’s disease began to take its toll, Reagan displayed a heartbreaking innocence. He would clean his pool for hours, oblivious to his Secret Service agents’ repeated replenishment of leaves in the water. One poignant moment came when Nancy, his wife, found him gazing at a model of the White House. He confessed to her, “I don’t know what this is but it used to be part of my life, right?” A touching reminder of a life lived in service, remembered and forgotten.

Vortex I: The State-Sponsored Festival

The Vortex I festival, a unique occurrence in U.S. history as the only state-sponsored rock concert, was held in Oregon. This event was strategically planned to coincide with President Nixon’s visit to showcase the peaceful aspects of the anti-War Movement and to deter any potential violent protests during the President’s scheduled appearance in the state. The festival took place at Milo McIver State Park and drew a crowd estimated between 30,000 and 100,000 people. As there was no admission fee, the gates were left open, and as a result, there were no precise attendance records.

On the festival’s peak day, a line of cars stretched for 18 miles (30 km) from the park entrance to southeast Portland. In an agreement with the governor, both the police and the Oregon National Guard largely turned a blind eye to non-violent offenses such as public nudity and drug use, both of which were observed at the festival. The event earned the nickname “The Governor’s Pot Party.”

The festival’s success in maintaining peace was likely helped by President Nixon’s last-minute cancellation. Both the American Legion convention and the anti-war activities of the Jamboree proceeded without any significant disruptions. The festival proved to be an effective strategy for preventing violence; there were no instances of interpersonal violence or harm, and property damage in Portland was minimal, limited to a single broken window.