We bet you’ve never learned about these incredible stories about the Founding Fathers in school!
All the stories about the Founding Fathers, the fight for independence, the singing of the Declaration, and their faces on Mount Rushmore. These are things we all learned in school, and you can hear about them everywhere, from books to the TV and so on.
But there are some details that are left out of history classes, and this is such a shame considering that most of them are fun, interesting, or just plain weird. We are here today because we want to talk exactly about these “forbidden” facts and help you discover the Founding Fathers as they really were, humans just like me and you.
Get ready, as you are about to discover some things that might completely change the way you see these iconic figures in American history. Here are some true stories about our Founding Fathers!
1. How old was John Adams when he started to attend Harvard?
We know him as the second president of the United States, but he was also a prodigy. John Adams stepped into the building at Harvard at the incredible age of 16. This is something many teenagers dream of, but for 16 it was a reality.
He used to be a very curious little boy who was skilled at languages and logic. Also, his father made sure that his son received a solid foundation in education.
Besides being accepted into Harvard, John Adams was an active student, participating in debates and excelling in his studies. His thirst for knowledge was unmatched, and because of this, he retained it in history.
2. George Washington and the Navy His mother didn’t let him join
The First President of the United States, the leader of the American Revolution, used to have a dream during his teenage years. He dreamed of a life at sea, and because of this, he fancied the idea of joining the British Royal Navy. This was a powerful force at the time, and it is easy to understand why an adventure-hungry teenager would want to be part of it.
But we know the history, of our Founding Fathers, doesn’t include George Washington, who was part of the British Navy, and this is all because of one determined woman, Mary Ball Washington, George’s mother.
The reasons behind her action are not clear, but some historians claim that she was concerned about how dangerous life at sea can be for her son and also about the uncertainty of a Navy career at that time.
3. Benjamin Franklin could speak six languages
When we think about Benjamin Franklin, we might imagine him as a jack of all trades, but Franklin excelled at any area he studied, and languages were one of them. Besides being an incredible scientist, inventor, and statesman, he was also fluent in six languages: French, German, Italian, Spanish, Latin, and his native English.
His passion and fluency in many languages helped Benjamin Franklin in his life and career. For example, during the American Revolution, he was able to communicate efficiently with the French, and in this way, he secured essential support during the war. Languages opened many doors for him, which is reflected in his history and the history of the Founding Fathers.
4. Benjamin Franklin used to be a firefighter
Since we’ve already mentioned Benjamin Franklin, we want to tell you even more about him. Along with the rest of the Founding Fathers, he is a real legend, and many of us recognize him for all of his quirky inventions.
It seems that Franklin was concerned about public security, and this is why he founded the Union Fire Company when he was only 20 years old. What triggered him were the devastating effects of fires in Philadelphia and how unprepared the firefighter department was.
Franklin was inspired by similar organizations in Boston, and in 1736, the new fire brigade of volunteers was born. Even more, he advocated for wider trees that could allow firebreaks and the use of fire hoses. He also invented a rudimentary fire extinguisher!
5. John Jay, the farmer
John Jay was one of the Founding Fathers who played a crucial role in shaping the early American Republic. At some point, he had a solid career, as he used to be the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and Governor of New York. But in the end, he decided it was time to relax and trade the court life for a more peaceful and hassle-free approach. He chose the farm life.
The 18th-century political climate was quite turbulent, and this is why John Jay decided it was time to return to his family’s farm. After this, he tried to improve farming practices, and he was also involved in developing agriculture in his community.
6. James Madison and his siblings
The “Father of the Constitution” was not just a political leader; he was also the oldest of 13 siblings. He was born in 1751 and was the firstborn of James Madison Sr. and Nelly Conway Madison. Among the seven Founding Fathers, James Madison had the largest family, and this had an impact on how he developed his leadership qualities so early.
Probably being part of such a big family and all the challenges that come with it helped Madiosn have a bigger sense of community and responsibility than most people. He was the one who assisted in the whole process of creating a strong government that was able to unify the newly formed states.
7. Thomas Jefferson and his books
We all love a good read from time to time, and sometimes we feel bad because we have so many books we haven’t read yet. But if you think you have a lot of books, hold up, because we are sure that Thomas Jefferson used to have more books than anyone who is reading this article right now!
He was one of the Founding Fathers and the third president of the United States. But Jefferson is not just a man of action; he is also a man of knowledge, and the simplest way to prove that this is the truth is to take a look at his library. He had over 6,500 books!
Thomas Jefferson was a meticulous reader and took good care of his books. In 1815, after the British troops set fire to the nation’s capital, he sold his book collection to the Library of Congress for almost $24,000.
These stories prove that the Founding Fathers were more than just faces on dollar bills or on mountains; they were humans like us. Their dreams, passions, and quirks are more relatable than ever, and these little facts can make American history more interesting.
Next time you hear about the Founding Fathers remember about the fire safety advocate Benjamin Franklin or the curious teenager John Adams.
If you know any other facts, you can share them with the rest of the readers in the comment section!
If you want to know more about these historical figures this book might be what you are looking for: Founding Fathers: The Essential Guide to the Men Who Made America
You should also read: Unbelievable! These 10 US Presidents Were Pro-Slavery
