HISTORY
George Washington was born on February 22, 1732, in Westmoreland County, Virginia, the first of six children. He had a distant relationship with his father and was close to his older half-brother Lawrence. After his father’s death in 1743, Washington inherited Ferry Farm and ten slaves. He attended local schools, learning mathematics, land surveying, and mapmaking. Washington became a skilled draftsman and wrote with precision. He worked as a surveyor and gained land in Virginia. In 1751, he traveled to Barbados, where he contracted smallpox. After Lawrence’s death in 1752, Washington leased Mount Vernon and later inherited it in 1761.
EARLY LIFE
George Washington was the first U.S. president in 1788 and 1792, serving from 1789 to 1797. As commander of the Virginia Regiment in the French and Indian War and later as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, he led Patriot forces to victory including at Yorktown in 1781, securing American independence in the American Revolutionary War and is known as the Father of His Country.
Washington presided over the Constitutional Convention in 1787 and was unanimously elected. He set key presidential precedents, promoted national unity, and advocated for neutrality during the French Revolution. A slave owner who later opposed slavery, Washington is regarded as one of the greatest U.S. presidents and an enduring American icon.
INTERESTING FACTS
- Named after him: U.S. capital, many schools, parks, and cities.
- Currency: His face appears on the U.S. dollar bill and quarter.
- Talented mapmaker: Skilled in mapmaking and drafting.
- Education: Learned mathematics and land surveying.
- Family tragedy: Grew up in a family with many hardships.
- Work ethic: Known for a strong work ethic and responsibility.
- Died: December 14, 1799 in Mount Vernon, Virginia
ACHIEVEMENTS
- Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army (1775-1783): Led the American forces to victory in the Revolutionary War against Britain.
- Victory at the Battle of Trenton (1776): A surprise attack on Christmas night that boosted American morale.
- Victory at Yorktown (1781): Secured the final major victory in the Revolutionary war, leading to British surrender.
- First President of the United States (1789-1797): Elected unanimously and set many presidential traditions.
- Established the U.S. Government Structure: Helped create the Cabinet and the two-term presidency precedent.
- Signed the Bill of Rights (1791): Ensured the first 10 amendments protecting citizens’ freedoms.
- Neutrality Proclamation (1793): Kept the U.S. out of European wars, preserving its stability.
- Jay’s Treaty (1795): Resolved tensions with Britain, preventing another war.
- Farewell Address (1796): Warned against political parties and foreign entanglements.
- Declined a Third Term: Set the precedent for a peaceful transfer of power in the U.S.