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Portrait of a President: George Washington

Posted on May 18, 2009

Sometimes I like to take a break from all the hype and not write about the most popular news out there. I find myself gravitating towards topics of an historical nature, mostly because I truly enjoy learning and writing about history. So, I’ve put together a brief portrait of America’s First President, George Washington! I hope you learn something from this brief history of a truly amazing man.

George Washington became the first president of the United States of America on April 30, 1789,helping the country take a giant leap into the democracy it is today. He is known best in modern times as the only president who never occupied the white house, but there is so much more to President Washington than many people realize!

Born on February 22, 1732 to a tobacco farmer and his second wife, President Washington spent his childhood from the age of six being home schooled by his father and his brother. They taught George the love for surveying and farming. At age 20, President Washington was appointed as a district adjutant general in the Virginia militia in 1752.

Washington was commissioned as a lieutenant colonel, and ordered to lead an expedition to Fort Duquesne to drive out the French; and, in 1754, Washington went on to fight in the French and Indian War. The war lasted seven years, and is often referred to as the Seven Year War for that reason.

Before serving in the American Revolution, Washington married Martha Dandridge Curtis on January 6, 1759. The couple never had any children of their own, but he helped raise her two children from a previous marriage and later two grandchildren.

Washington’s journey to the presidency was just as unusual, as the Electoral College elected Washington as president unanimously in 1789, and again in the 1792 election, no other president has ever received 100% of the electoral votes! Becoming the first president of America on April 30, 1789 until March 4, 1797.

After retiring from the presidency in March 1797, Washington returned to Mount Vernon with a profound sense of relief. He devoted much time to farming. His retirement was short however because on December 14, 1799 he died of complications from pneumonia and a throat infection after spending time out earlier that week in the freezing rain inspecting his farm on horseback. He was 67 years old.

Categories: Lifestyle

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