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Thomas Jefferson: Patriot, president… And foodie?

Image: Pixzolo Photography

Let’s start with what is arguably Thomas Jefferson’s most criminally overlooked contribution to history. Next time you are dipping a delicious and crispy French fry in some ketchup, take a moment to thank our 3rd President, who is often considered solely responsible for bringing this recipe to America.

During his time serving as ambassador to France, Jefferson fell madly in love with more than a few mouth-watering French dishes, which included a recipe for "potatoes deep-fried while raw, in small cuttings." He brought these recipes back home with him, and, while French fries didn’t become particularly popular until the beginning of the 20th century, Jefferson is still credited for introducing this quintessential side dish to the United States.

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Benjamin Franklin’s "fowl" enemy

Image: Tyler Donaghy

There’s no denying that America loves turkeys —they are the undisputed star of every Thanksgiving Day feast. Having said that, can you imagine a world in which the turkey is emblazoned on official documents or currency? Forget that: Can you picture the POTUS delivering an important speech behind a podium with a turkey on it?

America would have definitively been an entirely different country if Benjamin Franklin had been successful in choosing the turkey as our national symbol. In a letter, Franklin stated that he believed that the bald eagle was "a bird of bad moral character," while the turkey, in his view, was a "Bird of Courage" more aligned with American values.

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John Hancock’s signature

Image: Signature Pro

The Declaration of Independence was surely a pivotal moment in our country’s history. This document provided the basis of freedom, liberty, and justice on which America was founded. As you probably know, Founding Father John Hancock had the honor of being the first to sign this ever-so-important piece of paper.

In turn, history has thanked Hancock in a rather unusual way, with the simple yet versatile slang term "to give your John Hancock," which means to sign your name onto something.

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John Adams dog from hell

Image: Jamie Street

Ask anyone to tell you possible dog names for your new puppy and they might suggest timeless classics like "Spot," "Buddy," or "Rex." However, had you asked our 2nd President, his suggestions might have been a bit more daring. During his time in the White House, John Adams and his wife Abigail were the proud owners of an adorable dog that sported a terrifying name: Satan.

What’s interesting is that the Adams truly had a unique talent when it came to naming their pets. Alongside Satan, the couple also had a female dog named Juno and a horse called Cleopatra. In any case, don’t be too fast to judge Good Old Satan. As the saying goes, a dog by any other name is still a good boy.

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Are any Fans of the Bard Out There?

Image: Taha

For many book critics, the world will never know another writer as incredible as William Shakespeare. His works still inspire admiration around the world, with millions of fans reading, commenting, and recreating many of his timeless plays. In that sense, would you be surprised to learn that two of our Founding Fathers were die-hard fans of the Bard?

John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were self-proclaimed admirers of Shakespeare’s literature, frequently writing letters that praised his impeccable style. Adams once called the Bard "the great master of nature" and the "great teacher of morality and politics." Not only that, a popular legend states that, when both Founding Fathers visited Shakespeare’s home in England, they chipped a piece of his chair to take home as a souvenir.

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Whiskey that tastes like freedom

Image: Thomas Park

George Washington’s resume was certainly impressive: 1st President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, and tactical mastermind. However, there’s another noteworthy activity that is often overlooked by history books— George Washington owned and ran a commercial whiskey distillery from his home in Mount Vernon.

Think about it: Is there any liqueur more likely to lift your "spirits" (see what we did there?) than a fine malt whiskey personally distilled by the "Father of Our Country"? The thousands of tourists that visit Mount Vernon every year seldom forget to visit the distillery.

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Have you seen this dog?

Image: Joe Caione

Picture this: You are putting out signs in your block trying to locate your beloved and recently lost dog. All of a sudden you receive an unexpected call, informing you that they have found your dog and that it is currently in the care of none other than the President of the United States!

In all honesty, that’s not exactly how the story went, but it’s a true testament to George Washington’s honor and etiquette. According to historians, a little fox terrier named Lila was found by Continental Army troops behind American lines after the Battle of Germantown in 1777. After learning from the dog’s collar that she belonged to an enemy soldier, Washington ordered for the dog to be returned to her rightful owner, with a note assuring him that she was unharmed and safe.

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Fancy a cold one?

Image: Drew Beamer

George Washington was not the only Founding Father adept at brewing alcoholic beverages. The great city of Boston proudly boasts an iconic beer brand named after Samuel Adams , paying homage to the beer-brewing past of this Founding Father.

There’s another bit of fun trivia regarding "Samuel Adams Beer": If you’ve ever enjoyed a pint of this delicious beer, you probably saw Adams raising a beer glass on its label. However, some theorize that the man depicted in the logo might actually be fellow patriot Paul Revere. Having said that, there’s no solid evidence to back this up, other than the fact that both revolutionaries looked a little similar.

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Thomas Jefferson’s magical cookbook

Image: Hayden Walker

As mentioned earlier, Thomas Jefferson was a bit of a foodie. Granted, he would look at us in complete bewilderment if he heard us call him a "foodie," but it’s safe to say he loved good cuisine. Besides bringing French fries to our country, every American should salute and pay tribute to the 3rd President for yet another culinary jewel: Mac and cheese.

Again, we should clarify that the recipe Jefferson brought wasn’t exactly the one you would find in a box of Kraft. However, he would often serve his dinner guests macaroni pasta, paired with a cheese sauce that closely resembles the dish we know and love today. It’s believed that Jefferson’s delighted guests helped popularize this creation, which would eventually become one of America’s favorite meals.

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Benjamin Franklin purposely misspelled "Pennsylvania"

Image: Adam Nir

We’ll end with a remarkably smart mistake that came from a remarkably smart man. Benjamin Franklin was behind some of the earlier forms of currency in the United States. After moving to Philadelphia in 1723, he became involved in printing money, which had only recently started circulating around Pennsylvania. As the great inventor that he was, Franklin added some remarkably clever ways to bypass counterfeiters and help differentiate his bills from possible fakes.

One of the smartest—and possibly simplest—features Franklin introduced was purposely misspelling the word "Pennsylvania" on his bills. After all, such a blatant and evident mistake would immediately inform anyone that this bill came from Franklin’s own hand.

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Kentucky's got more bourbon than people

Image: javier kober

If Kentucky’s barrels of bourbon had voting rights, they’d outnumber the citizens by over two million. Yep, the state has around 5 million people, but more than 7 million barrels. That’s over one barrel per person! Bourbon is big business down there, and the aging process means those barrels are just hanging out, soaking up the Kentucky air. Cheers to that!

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Lake Superior could soak two continents

Image: Riley Crawford

Try this on for size: Lake Superior holds so much water that it could cover all of North and South America with a foot of water, that’s more than three quadrillion gallons. It’s not just "superior": it’s the largest freshwater lake by surface area in the world! No wonder it looks like an ocean when you stand on the shore.

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New York City beats 40 states in population

Image: Thomas Habr

Think your state is crowded? New York City alone has more people than 40 of the 50 US states. That’s over 8 million people packed into five boroughs; more than the entire population of states like Nebraska, Idaho, or even Kentucky. It’s one bustling, never-sleeps kind of place, right?

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Oregon talks the fastest, Mississippi takes it slow

Image: Marek Studzinski

According to a speech analysis study, Oregonians zip through their words quicker than anyone else in the country. On the other hand, people in Mississippi take their sweet time, probably because there's no need to rush when you’ve got good company and a rocking chair.

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Washington squirrels have their own skywalks

Image: Ilnur Kalimullin

In Longview, Washington, squirrels cross the street using adorable little bridges built specially for them. Locals kept seeing critters get flattened, so they constructed a series of rope walkways in the trees. Now, that’s a whole network called the " Nutty Narrows ." Proof that even squirrels get special treatment in small-town America.

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You can legally hunt unicorns in Michigan

Image: Gary Meulemans

Well… sort of. Lake Superior State University in Michigan offers a whimsical "Unicorn Hunting License" as part of a long-running campus tradition. It’s all in good fun, of course, but the license is real; you can request one. Just don’t expect to catch anything other than smiles.

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Las Vegas hotels could host you for four centuries

Image: David Lusvardi

If you stayed one night in every hotel room in Las Vegas, it would take you over 400 years to get through them all. That’s around 150,000 rooms, more than any city in the world. Sin City isn’t just flashy; it’s enormous. You could retire three times over before seeing them all.

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Michigan's lavender maze is visible from space

Image: Léonard Cotte

In western Michigan, there’s a sprawling lavender labyrinth so big that it can be seen on Google Earth. Grown by Cherry Point Farm & Market, this fragrant puzzle isn’t just beautiful, it’s relaxing too. Imagine strolling through acres of blooming purple under a summer sky. Have you added it to your bucket list yet?

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The Hoover Dam’s concrete could pave the nation

Image: Gerda

Here’s a mind-boggling fact: engineers poured enough concrete into the Hoover Dam to build a two-lane highway from San Francisco to New York. How much is that? That’s 4.4 million cubic yards, give or take. It’s a concrete colossus. And it's still standing strong after nearly a century.

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Boston drivers are the worst, Kansas City’s the best

Image: todd kent

According to insurance data, Boston has more fender-benders and claims than any other large city. Drivers there can be a bit... spirited. Meanwhile, Kansas City drivers, apparently, are so courteous and careful, they top the charts for safety. Beep beep!

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Kansas could feed the world at least once

Image: Samuel Myles

Each year, Kansas produces enough wheat to bake a whole lot of bread—enough to feed everyone on Earth for about two weeks. That’s nearly 300 million bushels annually. No wonder it’s called the Breadbasket of America. If bread ever becomes currency, Kansas would be rich.

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Crater Lake is Statue-of-Liberty deep

Image: Jeff Hopper

Oregon’s Crater Lake is no shallow pond—it’s the deepest lake in the US, plunging down 1,943 feet. That’s enough depth to stack six Statues of Liberty, one on top of the other, with room to spare. Yes, you read that right! Formed in the crater of an ancient volcano, it’s as dramatic as it is stunning.

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Atlanta is peachy... maybe a little too peachy

Image: Ronny Sison

If you’re driving through Atlanta and see Peachtree Street, don’t assume you’re close to your destination because there are over 70 roads with some form of "Peachtree" in the name. Peachtrees, Peachtree Circle, Peachtree Battle… It's a maze of fruity confusion. Now you know, so bring a map!

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Abigail Adams

Image: Christian Schussele, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Women in the 1770s were not supposed to be concerned about politics. But Abigail Adams, wife of the second president of the United States, talked and wrote about politics with extraordinary insight. She was one of the earliest supporters of independence, and her ideas influenced the Founding Fathers.

Often ill as a child, Abigail educated herself in her father’s library. Her studies prepared her for a life of public service in which she fought for freedom from England and women’s rights, and stood firmly against slavery. She even wrote the famous "Remember the ladies" letter 150 years before women were allowed to vote. Abigail’s influence over John Adams was so great that some rival politicians nicknamed her "Mrs. President."

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Mary Katherine Goddard

Image: Thomas Jefferson, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Mary Katherine Goddard was the director of the Baltimore Post Office and one of the world's first female publishers. Her greatest contribution to the Revolution, however, was the printing of the first copy of the Declaration of Independence that included the names of all signatories.

During the war, she ran the Providence Gazette and Maryland Journal , two newspapers that actively supported the American patriots' efforts. Despite the challenges she faced as a woman trying to make her way in a male-dominated society, Mary Katherine Goddard left an invaluable legacy as a pioneering woman in journalism and federal government work.

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​​Martha Washington

Image: Billy Hathorn, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

During her lifetime, she was known as Lady Washington, but Martha Dandridge Custis Washington will always be remembered as the first in a long line of first ladies of the United States. Martha married George Washington in 1759 and would be by his side in private and public life, even joining him on the battlefield.

While Washington was in office, Martha was in charge of the Presidential galas held to entertain members of the administration and foreign dignitaries. Although at that time she had no official duties or title, her warm temperament and classy poise laid the foundations for a key role that continues to this day.

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Esther de Berdt Reed

Image: National Portrait Gallery, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Even though Esther was born and raised in England, she sided with her husband, an aide to General Washington, in the American fight for independence. Five years into the war, Esther felt it was time for women to support the Continental troops in a more active way.

Esther's group, the Philadelphia Association, went door to door to ask for contributions. They ended up raising a large sum of money, which they used to supply soldiers in desperate need of provisions. Eventually, they stitched over 2,000 shirts by hand. Esther's vision and the group's dedicated efforts helped remind the men fighting the American Revolutionary War how much they were appreciated.

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Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton

Image: Ralph Earl, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Elizabeth Hamilton, sometimes called "Eliza" or "Betsey," was the daughter of one of New York State's wealthiest and most politically influential families. In 1780, Eliza married Founding Father Alexander Hamilton. During their more than 20 years of marriage, she helped Hamilton write his letters and newspaper contributions and accompanied him on numerous historic events.

Strong-willed but caring, Eliza would devote her long widowhood to charity, helping to found New York's first private orphanage. In addition, she worked tirelessly to spread her husband's legacy and ensure that Hamilton had the place he deserved in American history.

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Patience Lovell Wright

Image: William Faden, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Did you know that during the American Revolutionary War, the Patriots had an American spy in the heart of King George's court? More interestingly, it was a woman! Famous for molding incredible wax sculptures, Patience Lovell Wright had to move to England after her New York studio caught fire.

Her friend, Benjamin Franklin, introduced her to London society. Soon enough, word of her talent reached King George III, who invited her to Buckingham Palace. But she remained loyal to her "dear America," as she called it, and when trouble started back home, Patience decided she could help America's fight for independence by providing decisive information her prominent clients revealed while posing for her.

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Mercy Otis Warren

Image: John Singleton Copley, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

At a time when women were expected not to air their views on political issues, Mercy Otis Warren was a poet, playwright, and activist.

During the American Revolution, Warren not only maintained a close relationship with leading political figures such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams, but she also became a historian and outspoken commentator, as well as the leading female intellectual of the early republic.

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Penelope Barker

Image: Attributed to Philip Dawe, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

In the 18th century, women had no public outlet to express their convictions or to take a stand. Rebellion was considered men's business. Yet, the courageous Penelope Barker proved to everyone that women could contribute a great deal to the efforts for independence.

In 1774, in Edenton, North Carolina, a group of fifty-one women signed a declaration by Penelope, stating they would not drink tea or wear clothes made in England. The British press called it the "Edenton Tea Party" and ridiculed them. But soon enough, women all over the colonies were boycotting British products. Thanks to Penelope Barker's declaration, every woman in America discovered a smart and original way to rebel against the colonists.

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Mary Norris Dickinson

Image: Prateek Katyal

The daughter of wealthy Pennsylvania Quakers, Mary Norris Dickinson was well-educated and owned one of the largest libraries in the colonies. She believed in a life without violence and in equal rights for men and women, ideas that she did not shy away from voicing in public to the dismay of some more conservative individuals.

For her fundamental role in political thought, influence on other women, and involvement in events related to the Constitutional Convention, the wife of Founding Father John Dickinson definitely deserves her place in history.

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Phillis Wheatley

Image: Phillis Wheatley, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Brought to America as a slave, Phillis Wheatley became the first African-American author. Her poems celebrated learning and virtue and described a yearning for freedom. She also wrote a number of patriotic verses on subjects like the peace treaty of 1783 that ended the American Revolutionary War.

Her most famous piece was a poem to George Washington, in which she refers to him as "first in peace." The poem was published several times during the war to promote the Patriot cause, and Washington liked it so much that he asked to meet her. A true patriot and later a symbol for the abolition of slavery, Phillis Wheatley will always be known as a key contributor to freedom.