Washington wasn’t just the first President of the United States—he was also Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War and presided over the convention that drafted the U.S. Constitution2. He’s often called the “Father of His Country” for good reason.
Quick Overview
- Born: February 22, 1732, in Westmoreland County, Virginia.
- Died: December 14, 1799, at Mount Vernon, Virginia.
- Roles: First U.S. President (1789–1797), Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, President of the Constitutional Convention.
- Nickname: “Father of His Country”
- Military Legacy
- Led the Continental Army to victory against the British in the American Revolutionary War.
- Famously crossed the Delaware River on Christmas night in 1776—a bold move that turned the tide of the war.
- Refused to seize power after the war, setting a precedent for civilian control of the military.
- Presidential Impact
- Elected unanimously—twice.
- Set many presidential precedents: the two-term limit, the inaugural address, and the peaceful transfer of power.
- Warned against political parties and foreign entanglements in his Farewell Address.
- Personal Tidbits
- Owned a large plantation at Mount Vernon.
- Was an avid surveyor and landowner.
- Had no biological children, but adopted the children of his wife, Martha Custis.
- Legacy & Myth
- The cherry tree story (“I cannot tell a lie”) is likely apocryphal, created to emphasize his honesty.
- Revered for his humility—he voluntarily relinquished power, which was rare in his time.
Lesson Learning 