Wednesday, February 4, 2009

President #1: George Washington

List Of Facts:


Birth Date: February 22, 1732.
Birth Place: Westmoreland County, Virginia.
Father: Augustine Washington.
Mother: Mary Washington.
Birth Order: He was the 3rd child of 5 Brothers and 3 Sisters.
Education: He was taught by other members of the family and by local schoolteachers.
Other Vocations: Surveying, (Major, Colonel, and Commander in Chief of the British army.)
Wife's Name: Martha Custis
Children: John Custis, Martha Patsy Custis
Political Party: He Favored Federalists
Age At Inauguration: 57
Time In Office: 2 terms
Date Of Death: December 14, 1799



The 1st President of the United States of America was born on February 22, 1732. He grew up in Virginia, which was part of the 13 colonies at the time. When George was 11 his father Augustine Washington died.

George wanted some adventure and decided to become a surveyor. So at age 16 George began his surveying career. By age 19 George had saved his small earnings and purchased over 1,000 acres of land.

In 1752 Lawrence, George's half brother, died from tuberculosis. In the same year George ended his surveying and began his military career. He was appointed as a major in the British army. 2 years later George resigned from the militia. But in May of 1755 he was appointed aide-DE-camp to General Edward Braddock. Later in the year George was appointed as colonel and commander in chief of the British army. For more than 2 years George stayed in the militia, but in 1758 he resigned and retired for 16 years of plantation work.


George married Martha Dandrige Custis on January 6 1759. She had previously been a widow and had 2 children, John Custis and Martha Patsy Custis.


By 1774 George had become involved actively in America's desire for freedom. George, in 1775, was appointed as a delegate to the Second Continental Congress. In it he was unanimously elected as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army.

George took command of the Continental Army on July 3 1775. In March 1776 he placed the British army in the port of Boston under the threat of attack. With that threat he began the American Revolution. On July 4, 1776, Congress passed the Declaration of Independence.

In 1776 George and his Continental Army loses New York in the battles of Long Island and White Plains. He then retreated through New Jersey. Near the end of 1776 George captured Trenton which was his first main victory. He then had several victories and losses before wintering at Valley Forge. In 1778 France entered the war, then 1 year later in 1779 Spain entered the war also. In 1781 the Articles of the Confederation were ratified and General Cornwallis of the British army surrenders at Yorktown. Although this amazing victory did not officially end the war, it was the last battle of the war.


In 1783 George returned to Mount Vernon but not for long. On April 30, 1789 George Washington delivered the 1st presidential inauguration speech. In 1796 he delivered his farewell speech, and ended his public life.


He went home to Mount Vernon and became a planter. Then, on December 14, 1799 George Washington died. He is buried in a vault at the foot of Mount Vernon's Hill.

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