7 interesting facts about George Washington

5. Was an avid dancer

Not only was George Washington famously said to be “first in war” and “first in peace,” but according to contemporary accounts, he could be first on the dance floor.

While being able to dance well has always been an important social skill, in the 18th century, knowledge of formal dances, especially those that came from upper-class Europe, was a must.

“The minuet dominated social dance in both Europe and America during the Colonial and Federal periods. Washington danced it flawlessly, famously eliciting a compliment from French officers who said his skill could not be improved,” wrote Carol Reynolds of Memoria Press in 2018.

“In 1784, Judge Francis T. Brooke noted that Washington ‘attended the ball of the 22nd of February; opened it by dancing a minuet with some lady, and then danced cotillions and country dances; was very gallant.’ Still other sources relay the excitement felt by the lucky ladies who shared the dance floor with our first president.”