What You Might Not Know About the United States
The Declaration of Independence was dated July 4, 1776, but it was signed on August 2, 1776 so we are celebrating our independence on the wrong day. We should be saying: "Happy 2nd of August!"
There are four verses to the Star Spangled Banner although most Americans only have heard the first one.
Both Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln officially proclaimed Thanksgiving Day a national holiday in 1789 and 1863 respectively, each time out of gratitude to God for the country's survival of a traumatic conflict (the Revolutionary War and the War Between the States).
George Washington was not the first but the eighth President of the United States.
John Hanson was the first President of the United States. He was elected to this post by the very first Congress which included George Washington who joined in the vote for him. President Hanson did a bang-up job which included keeping the ship of state afloat during the Revolutionary War, ordering all foreign troops off American soil and the removal of all foreign flags. He also established the Great Seal of the United States which is used to this day, along with the first Treasury Department, Secretary of War, and Foreign Affairs Department. At one point, President Hanson used his own money to buy shoes for General Washington's troops. It was THIS guy who originally decided that the fourth Thursday of each November would be Thanksgiving Day, even though it wasn't officially proclaimed until later.
Lost to History
Six other Presidents followed Hanson, including Elias Boudinot (1783, Thomas Mifflin (1784), Richard Henry Lee (1785), Nathan Gorman (1786), Arthur St. Clair (1787) and Cyrus Griffin (1788) and THEN came George Washington (after he had played his crucial part in the successful conclusion of the Revolutionary War).
The first seven Presidents are not a part of our official history because they served under our first form of government called the Articles of Confederation which allowed a President to serve a one year term during any three year period. After Cyrus Griffin, our Constitution was officially accepted as our form of government and George Washington was the first President to serve under the Constitution.
Nobody meant for it to happen but somehow those first seven Presidents became lost to history. Nevertheless, at a time when the job didn't pay much and involved great risk and sacrifice, these men played an important part in the birth and early development of our country and If George Washington were here today, he would tell you that John Hanson was our first President, whether anybody remembers him or not.
My Fellow Americans ...
What else is there to say except "Happy Fourth of July!" (or "Happy 2nd of August!" to be more precise.) No matter when we celebrate our independence ... and no matter what problems may face us today ... it is still true that if you are lucky enough to be an American, then you're lucky enough!
Sources: Various Internet websites
Published by Anne Bowen
I have lived in the Chicago area most of my life and am enjoying my retirement. I have always loved to write and have a special passion for history. View profile
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11 Comments
Post a CommentI know little parts of things like this, but I always forget the exact facts!
As a Peterson, I'd vote for a Hanson any day. Let's give three cheers for the "forgotten" first president! Hip, hip, hooray...
Interseting read Anne! Thanks.
Very interesting little-known facts about the United States. Thanks!
You are absolutely right in thinking that some (most?) of us did not know some of these facts. I had no idea we had presidents before George Washington. Thank you!
Hi, great facts:)
How interesting! So is Washington still the Father of our country? Well at least first to reign after the Constitution was written, or something like that. lol
I'm glad to be an American no matter what day we celebrate it. Interesting thoughts. Thank you.
Well I learned some news things!!! Happy day the Dec was dated Anne!
I admit that I never heard of those first seven presidents. It doesn't seem fair that nobody remembers them today!