Who Named America?

This is an actual photograph of George Washington
the second he thought of the term "United states of America."

Turns out no one is really sure who first used the term "the United States of America." 

Back in 1998 so called "experts" announced that it was Thomas Jefferson who wrote those words in a rough draft of the Declaration of Independence around June 11, 1776. 

Now however, it appears none other than George Washington himself may have beaten Tommy Jefferson to the punch. 

The letter from Stephen Moylan, one of George Washington's top military aides, to Colonel Joseph Reed, dated Jan. 2, 1776, discusses bringing the "full and ample powers from the United States of America" to Europe in search of backing for the revolution.

Days earlier, Moylan had used the phrase "United Colonies" in a document, but that was before the Continental Army learned of an inflammatory speech King George III gave against the colonies, and before the first American flag was unveiled. 

Though Washington did not write the letter the term appears in, the Christian Science Monitor (not really sure if this falls under "Christian" or "science," but whatever) says that "Whether Washington, Moylan, or even Reed should be credited is somewhat beside the point. In many matters, all three spoke with one voice, the voice of the commander-in-chief of what would become the United States of America."

So basically, it was Washington, because he's the boss.

'Murica. 

I hate myself now. Why did I say that? I hate that word. It just sounds so uneducated and stupid. Whatever. Move on. 

Speaking of America, see why Independence Day is on the wrong day.