a teenager, Brother George Washington joined the British Navy. His mother had recently lost her husband and had another son serving as a British seaman, a dangerous profession at best. She begged young George to change his mind until he finally relented and resigned. Had Brother Washington ignored his mother's pleas, the man who became General of

Charles H. Allen, William North Lodge of Lowell, Massachusetts, became the first governor of Puerto Rico after the US freed it from Spanish rule. A man of incredible talent, he was an accomplished artist, musician and cabinet-maker. Also an avid gardener, his home, "The Terraces," boasted showcase gardens featuring fountains, a pergola, and a

The original Mayo Clinic started in a Masonic Temple in Rochester, Minnesota, where William Worrall Mayo (1819-1911), Charles H. Mayo (1865-1939) and Charles W. Mayo (1898-1968) were members.

The first official national "Thanksgiving Day," established on November 26, 1789, was originally created by George Washington for "giving thanks for the Constitution."

In 2009, a legitimate-looking website, http://glsneafam.wordpress.com/, announced the Grand Lodge of Connecticut and the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations would merge to form the Grand Lodge of Southern New England on April 1 of that year. Initially generating "confusion among the craft" the posting became suspect as readers

With the recognition of "The King's Speech" as best motion picture of 2011, it is interesting to note that both George VI (1895-1952) and his speech therapist, Lionel George Logue (1880-1953) were Freemasons. Initiated in Naval Lodge 2612 in 1919, King George VI was an active member holding many of the highest offices in England and Scotland. WB

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcScgDqzMAQ )

Alexander Hamilton (1755-1804), first Secretary of the Treasury, had two sons, both named Philip. Philip the younger (1802-1884) was assistant District Attorney in New York and was a member and Past Master of Albion Lodge 26. He was often confused with his older brother of the same name who died prior to the second Philip's birth. The elder Philip

Brother Charles Louis Napoleon Bonaparte — Napoleon III (1808-1873) was both the first elected president of France and its last reigning monarch. A tumultuous autocrat, he was exiled three times, escaped after being sentenced to life in prison and on other occasions welcomed as a hero. A member of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of France,