George Washington

Full Name: George Washington
Born: February 22, 1732 in VA
Died December 14, 1799
Presidential Term: 1 (April 30, 1789 - March 4, 1797)

Suceeded by: John Adams

11 Appointments to the Supreme Court by President George Washington

James Wilson (October 5, 1789)
John Jay (October 19, 1789)
William Cushing (February 2, 1790)
John Blair (February 2, 1790)
John Rutledge (February 15, 1790)
James Iredell (May 12, 1790)
Thomas Johnson (August 6, 1792)
William Paterson (March 11, 1793)
John Rutledge (July 1, 1795)
Samuel Chase (February 4, 1796)
Oliver Ellsworth (March 8, 1796)

George Washington rose to fame during the French and Indian war. He was a colonel in the war, and though he had many defeats, he did make a name for himself. After the French and Indian war, he retired from the military and returned to his home, Mount Vernon, in Virginia. His marriage to Martha Custis yielded him thousands of acres of land and a higher status in society. During his retirement, he was elected to several offices in Virginia, and was nominated to represent Virginia at the Second Continental Congress.

The Second Continental Congress named Washington as the Commander of the newly created Continental Army. He became the military hero after the American Revolutionary War. He once again retired from the military in 1783, just to get pulled back into politics. As the states worked to replace the Articles of Confederation at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787, Washington was convinced to lead the effort.

Washington was elected the first U.S. President by a vast majority in 1789. He was re-elected in 1792. He was a strong yet cautious leader, and applied force as necessary (such as during the Whiskey Rebellion). He chose not to run for a 3rd term, establishing a maximum of two-terms served, a precedent that would be followed for nearly 150 years.

Historical Sites Related to George Washington

George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate & Garden, Mt. Vernon, VA 22121
Fort Ticonderoga, Ticonderoga, NY 12883

Major Events During Presidency

12/15/1791: The Bill of Rights were enacted. They are the first ten amendments to the Constitution, and ensure the "natural rights" of citizens.
10/13/1792: Construction began on the White House.
04/22/1793: George Washington declared the neutrality of the United States regarding the war between Great Britain and France.
09/18/1793: President Washington laid the cornerstone for the new U.S. Capitol.
03/14/1794: Inventor Eli Whitney was granted a patent for his new creation, the cotton gin. The cotton gin greatly helped cotton production in the south.
02/07/1795: The 11th amendment was ratified, which provides immunity of states from suits from out-of-state citizens and foreign not living within the state boarders.

States Added to the Union During Presidency

North Carolina, November 21, 1789
Rhode Island, May 29, 1790
Vermont, March 4, 1791
Kentucky, June 1, 1792
Tennessee, June 1, 1796

Famous Quotes by George Washington

“Experience teaches us that it is much easier to prevent an enemy from posting themselves than it is to dislodge them after they have got possession.”

Major Events Before or After Presidency

07/25/1750: Henry Knox was born in Boston, Massachusetts. Knox started out as an owner of a bookstore, but soon became actively involved in the American Revolution. Knox was present at the Boston Massacre, he was a Colonel for General George Washington in the Revolutionary War, and he eventually became the first United States Secretary of War.
06/15/1775: General George Washington was appointed Major General of the Continental Army by the Second Continental Congress, after being nominated by John Adams. He served in that capacity until 1783.
01/24/1776: Colonel Henry Knox with his cannon train from Fort Ticonderoga arrived in Cambridge, Massachusetts and met up with Major General George Washington's forces. Knox completed a 300 mile/56 day journey to bring 59 cannons weighing 60 ton to support the American defense of Boston. These cannons were positioned on Dorchester Heights and were a pivotal part of the city's defense. Soon after the arrival of the cannons, the British gave up its hopes of invading Boston.
10/25/1806: Retired Secretary of War Henry Knox died after a noble and patriotic career in the fight for American independence. Knox was a Major General serving under General George Washington in the Revolutionary War, and later became the first United States Secretary of War. He is buried in Thomaston, Maine.