|
George Washington 1732-1799
|
|
Image Above
George Washington
(detail)
Oil on canvas by
Gilbert Stuart, who lived 1755-1828, and who
created this portrait around 1796-1805
United States
Senate |
First US President George
Washington never lived in the White House. Neither did he wear a wig.
But he did have a neat handwriting.
George was called the
Father of His Country. He worked as a farmer and cattle
breeder. Those were the days.
Standing six feet two inches tall (188 cm), equipped with courage,
discipline, common sense, and modesty, he was a fine gentleman with
dedication and loyalty for the American cause.
George Washington's Family
George's father was Augustine Washington. Augustine had four
children by his first wife, Jane Butler, and six children by
his second wife, who would become George's mother, Mary Ball.
In 1759, George married Martha Dandridge (1731-1802), widow
of Daniel Parke Custis. She was the mother of two living and two
dead children.
George did not have any children of his own. However, he had two
stepchildren from Martha's first marriage.
George Washington's
Early Years
Washington was always ashamed that he had so little formal
education. He was 20 years old when he inherited Mount Vernon, the
8,000 acre family estate. Washington's marriage added his wife's
large estate to his own. He later acquired additional lands.
Although without any kind of military training, Washington sought a
position in the Virginia militia.
THE FRENCH AND
INDIAN WAR 1754 - 1763
In the upper Ohio River valley colonial rivalry between France and
England came to a head. The young George Washington was sent to the
French quarter with the order for the French to withdraw. War ensued
and the opening fight at Fort Necessity was the only time Washington
ever surrendered in battle.
In 1755, George Washington was one of
the few survivors of the
Battle of the Monongahela.
Map of the Battle of the Monongahela
Here is more about the
Fourth French and Indian War.
And here is more about all
French and Indian Wars.
AMERICAN WAR OF INDEPENDENCE 1775
- 1783
The colonists felt exploited and hampered by the British Empire,
who, in turn, desired a tighter grip on colonial affairs.
In the resulting war, Washington served as Commander in Chief of the
Continental Army.
Washington's famous crossing of the Delaware River
on December 25, 1776, marked
the turning point in this conflict.
Map of Washington at the Siege of Boston 1776
Here is more about the
American War of Independence.
On March 15, 1783, George Washington
addressed his men with his
Speech at Newburgh.
On November 25, 1783, Washington led his
troops into New York, which the British had recently left.
On December 23, 1783, George Washington
voluntarily resigned his military commission to the Continental
Congress at the State House in Annapolis, Maryland. And here is his
Resignation Speech.
President of the
United States of America 1789-1797
Respected by all states,
Washington was inaugurated as first president on April 30, 1789, in
New York City, which was the capital of the United States at the
time.
On April 30, 1789, George Washington
delivered his
First Inaugural Address before Congress at Federal Hall in
New York City.
Re-elected for a second term, he urged his fellow citizens to remain
strictly neutral in international affairs in order not to compromise
America's independence.
March 4, 1793 — Here is Washington's
Second
Inaugural Address., delivered at the Senate Chamber,
Congress Hall, Philadelphia, PA. With 135 words, it's the shortest
inaugural address.
Fellow
Citizens:
I am again called upon by the voice of my
country to execute the functions of its
Chief Magistrate. When the occasion proper
for it shall arrive, I shall endeavor to
express the high sense I entertain of this
distinguished honor, and of the confidence
which has been reposed in me by the people
of united America.
Previous to the execution of any official
act of the President the Constitution
requires an oath of office. This oath I am
now about to take, and in your presence:
That if it shall be found during my
administration of the Government I have in
any instance violated willingly or knowingly
the injunctions thereof, I may (besides
incurring constitutional punishment) be
subject to the upbraidings of all who are
now witnesses of the present solemn
ceremony.
April 22, 1793 — And here is
Washington's
Proclamation of Neutrality.
George Washington wrote his
Farewell Address, which had been carefully edited by
Alexander Hamilton, and
dated it September 17, 1796.
On September 19, 1796, the address was
printed in Philadelphia’s American Daily Advertiser.
Washington died less than three years after his retirement. The cause of his
death is disputed. Some say he died of a throat infection, others
say of pneumonia or extensive bloodletting.
Washington was followed by
John Adams,
who became the Second President of the United States in 1797.
THE FIRST FIRST LADY
MARTHA WASHINGTON
George Washington's
Timeline
1732 February 22 - Birth at Wakefield Farm, Virginia
1748 Assistant surveyor for Lord Fairfax
1749 Official surveyor for Culpeper County
1751 Voyage to Barbados with half-brother Lawrence
1752 Joins Virginia militia
1755 Commander of all Virginia troops
1758 Burgess for Frederick County
1760 Justice Of The Peace for Fairfax County
1775 April 20 - 1776 March 17 - Siege of Boston
1775 July - Commander in Chief of the Continental Army
1784 - Has
Lafayette
over for tea
1789 President of the United States
1797 Return to Mount Vernon
1798 Commander in Chief of the American armies
1799 December 14 - Death at Mount Vernon, Virginia
The President's House
As the White House wasn't ready for occupancy until November 1800,
George lived here in Philadelphia.
Capitals of the United
States
The first capital of the United States
was New York (until 1790). The second capital was Philadelphia (until 1800).
The third capital was and still is Washington in the District of Columbia.
Check the
US Election Map 1796 -
1968.
Check
Governments in History Chart.
And here is the
George
Washington timeline.
See also the
American Timeline.
More History
|
