Saturday Night Live actually had a good sketch about this a few weeks ago:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYqfVE-fykk

Washington: "We fight for a nation where we choose our own laws... choose our own leaders... and choose our own systems of weights and measures.

I dream that one day, our proud nation will measure weights in pounds, and that 2000 pounds shall be called a ton."

Rebel: "And what will 1000 pounds be called sir?"

Washington: "Nothing. Cause will have no word for that."

...

Washington: "Distance will be measured in inches, feet, yards and miles. 12 inches to a foot!"

Rebel: "12 feet to a yard..."

Washington: "If only it were so simple. 3 feet to a yard."

Rebel: "And how many yards to a mile?"

Washington: "Nobody knows."

Rebel: "Ok, how many feet to a mile?"

Washington: "5280, of course! It's a simple number that everyone will remember."