Biographers write of George Washington’s fondness for hoecakes (upper left,) Madeira wine (behind the Black Walnut-Madeira Cake, lower right) and fish, such as cod (lower left), which would have been salted, dried and “soaked out” before being boiled for a saltcod fish dinner. The image of Washington, started by artist Gilbert Stuart in 1776 (upper right), should look very familiar to you; it’s the one that is depicted on the observe side of the dollar bill. Washington’s birthday became a legal holiday on January 31, 1879 and is one of eleven permanent holidays established by Congress.