Washington's 221-Year Overdue Book

Washington's 221-Year Overdue Book

In 1789, President George Washington borrowed the book 'The Law of Nations' from the New York Society Library while it shared Federal Hall with the new federal government. He never ended up returning it. In 2010, the head librarian joked they would skip the fines but would love the book's return. A month later, the Mount Vernon estate sent it back, a full 221 years overdue.

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