Welcome to the History Tricks, where any resemblance to a boring old history lesson is purely coincidental.

And here's your 30-second summary.

Though she had been brought up to constantly run a large estate, young Martha never would have guessed how extensive her responsibilities would grow to be.

Martha Washington was the template for all future first ladies in the newly formed country of the United States of America.

The End.

Let's talk about Martha Washington.

But first let's drop her into history.

In 1759, the British Museum, the world's oldest national museum, opened to quote all studious and curious persons.

Voltaire's satire, Candide, was first published.

Selling instruments, sheet music, and composition supplies, the first music store in America opened in Philadelphia.

English Potter, abolitionist, and businessmen Josiah Wedgewood opened his own tableware business.

St. James Gate Brewery was first founded in Dublin, Ireland by Arthur Guinness.

60 years later, the Brueh they sold carry the name Guinness.

Mary Wollstonecraft and Ald Lang Zinewriter Robert Burns were both born.

Composer Frederick Handel died.

And in 1759, George and Martha became Mr. and Mrs. Washington.

Martha Dandridge was born on June 2, 1731 at home at the Chestnut Grove Plantation in the colony of Virginia,

the eldest of the eight surviving children of John Dandridge in Francis Jones Dandridge.

Though ten other pregnancies had not ended up with the birth of a living child.

Let's take that in a moment.

And Papa also likely, slash probably, was the father of a mixed race possibly enslaved woman in the household by the name of Anne Dandridge.

A what?

...