Real Revolutionaries

George Washington did not throw a silver dollar across a mile-wide river, but he did suppress the first rebellion against the government of his newly formed nation. In Washington's case, the true stories are more interesting than the myths. And many people today may not realize that, in the end, the way he left public life was just as important as anything he did in it.

These days it seems everyone is singing the praises of Alexander Hamilton, but what's the all the fuss about? After all, Hamilton was never a president, nor was he a beloved figure in his time. After rising from humble origins, he won powerful friends and made powerful enemies during his life, which ended in his infamous duel with Aaron Burr. Still, the United States is indebted to Hamilton for his actions as the first U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, when his leadership set the new nation on a course toward prosperity and economic power.

Benjamin Franklin led a productive life, but is it possible his accomplishments include everything attributed to him? The answer is yes, for the most part. He never did suggest the wild turkey should be the national symbol of the United States. He did, however, lend his wisdom to the founding of the country, and he was the only person to sign four of the documents most critical to the creation and character of the nation.

Thomas Jefferson set the course for a new nation ruled by and for the people. In the Declaration of Independence, his words explained that all people are created equal and all deserve life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Jefferson's vision continues to guide the United States, but his own life wasn't always inspiring. There are hard truths about Jefferson, just as there are towering achievements. In that sense, many people believe Jefferson was very much like the nation he helped create.