The Awkward Meet-Cute of American History: How Aaron Burr Ended Up Working (Well, Briefly) for George Washington
Let's be honest, history books can be a snoozefest. They gloss over the good stuff, like the hilarious quirks and happenstances that landed important figures in each other's orbits. Today, we're taking a deep dive into the meet-cute (well, not exactly cute) of Aaron Burr and George Washington, the Founding Fathers' version of an awkward Tinder swipe gone wrong.
Burr, the Eager Beaver, Meets Washington, the Iceman
Imagine this: a young, ambitious Aaron Burr, fresh out of college (and with a killer ponytail, we can only assume), marches up to General Washington, head honcho of the Continental Army. Burr's all fired up, ready to take on the Redcoats and win the revolution. Washington, on the other hand? Well, let's just say his enthusiasm level hovered somewhere around "slightly annoyed by pigeons."
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"Sir, I Demand a Commission!" (Narrator: He Did Not Get a Commission)
Burr, brimming with confidence, practically demands a fancy military position. Washington, however, is facing a revolutionary-sized shortage of everything, including commissions. Think "participation trophies" weren't invented yet? Try "participation commissions." There just weren't enough to go around.
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Rejected? Never Heard of Her! (Except Burr Probably Did)
Undeterred (because Burr, apparently, wasn't familiar with the concept of "taking a hint"), he ends up attached to General Israel Putnam's staff. Let's just say Putnam wasn't exactly Washington's favorite (think Dwight from The Office, but way less chill). But hey, a job's a job, right?
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From Almost-Rejection to Almost-Hero (Almost)
Burr eventually proves his worth, leading a daring (and slightly foolhardy) rescue attempt at the Battle of Quebec. Despite the near-death experience (mostly for Burr), Washington grudgingly acknowledges his bravery and promotes him to Lieutenant Colonel. Baby steps, people!
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| How Did Aaron Burr Meet Washington |
So, What Did We Learn?
While their initial meeting wasn't exactly a Hallmark movie moment, Burr and Washington ended up working together, albeit for a short time. It's a reminder that even the Founding Fathers had to navigate awkward introductions and less-than-ideal work situations.
FAQ: How to Survive Your Own Awkward Historical Meet-Cute
- How to Deal with Rejection (Revolutionary War Edition): Brush it off, soldier! There are plenty of other battles (and generals) to fight for.
- How to Make a Good Impression on George Washington (Assuming Time Travel is Invented): Be brave, but not reckless. And maybe bring a decent wig.
- How to Avoid an Unnecessary Duel (Because Seriously, Those Things Were Brutal): Don't badmouth people behind their backs (looking at you, Burr).
- How to Start Your Own Revolution (Figuratively Speaking): Channel your inner Burr, but with a healthy dose of diplomacy (something Burr might have lacked).
- How to Rewrite History (Just Kidding, But Fun to Think About): Learn from the past, but don't mess with the timeline. Just trust me on this one.
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