George Washington – first American president, commander of the Continental Army, president of the Constitutional Convention, and farmer. Through these roles, Washington exemplified character and leadership.

Birth and Early Life

Birth Date
February 22, 1732
Birth Place
Pope's Creek, Virginia
Father
Augustine Washington (1694-1743)
Mother
Mary Ball Washington (1708-1789)
Brothers
Samuel Washington (1734-1781)
John Augustine Washington (1736-1787)
Charles Washington (1738-1799)


Half-Brothers
Butler Washington (1716-1716)
Lawrence Washington (1718-1752)
Augustine Washington Jr. (1720-1762)
Sisters
Betty Washington Lewis (1733 - 1797)
Mildred Washington (1737-1740)


Half-Sister
Jane Washington (1722-1734)
Formal Education
None
Religion
Anglican/Episcopalian

French and Indian War

Started
May 28, 1754
Ended
February 10, 1763
Victor
Great Britain
Defeated
France and Spain

Marriage and Children

Married
January 6, 1759
Wife
Martha Washington (1731-1802)
Years Married
40
Children
None
Step-Children
Daniel Custis (1751–1754)
Frances Custis (1753–1757)
John "Jacky" Parke Custis (1754–1781)
Martha "Patsy" Parke Custis (1756–1773)
Step-Grandchildren
Elizabeth "Eliza" Parke Custis Law (1776–1831)
Martha Parke Custis Peter (1777–1854)
Eleanor "Nelly" Parke Custis Lewis (1779–1852)
George Washington "Washy" Parke Custis (1781–1857)

Mount Vernon

Granted to the Washington Family
1674
Inherited by George Washington
1761
Previously Known As
Little Hunting Creek plantation
Named After
British Navy Admiral Edward Vernon
Mansion Constructed
1734
Major Expansions
late 1750s and 1770s
Mansion Square Footage
11,028
Rooms
21
Last Private Owner
John Augustine Washington III
Purchased by the MVLA
1858

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Revolutionary War

Started
April 19, 1775
Ended
September 3, 1783
Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army
General George Washington (Appointed in 1775)
Commander-in-Chief of the British Army
Major General William Howe (Appointed in 1776)
General Sir Henry Clinton (Appointed in 1778)
First Major Battle
Battles of Lexington and Concord (1775)
Last Major Battle
Siege of Yorktown (1781)
Duration
8 years
Combatants
The United States, France, and Spain
vs.
Great Britain

The Winter Patriots: A Revolutionary War Tale


Explore one of the darkest moments of the American Revolution and how the Continental Army, under the command of General George Washington, was able to save the cause of independence through one brilliant military campaign.

Constitutional Convention

Started
May 14, 1787
Ended
September 17, 1787
Purpose
To amend the Articles of Confederation (1777)
Location
Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
States Represented
12
Delegates Attended
55
Signatories
39/55
Constitution Ratified
June 21, 1788

A More Perfect Union: George Washington and the Making of the Constitution


Explore the many challenges facing the new nation and how our founding fathers created the United States Constitution.

Presidency

Inauguration
April 30, 1789
Resignation
March 4, 1797
Vice President
John Adams
Political Affiliation
None
Years Served
8
Terms
2
Salary
$25,000
Presidential Residence
New York City, New York (April 1789 – August 1790)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (November 1790 - March 1797)

First Term (1789-1792)

George Washington was inaugurated as the first United States president on April 30, 1789. He spent most of his first term defining the role of the executive branch and literally setting up the government.

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Second Term (1793-1797)

George Washington spent his second term working to preserving the new nation in the face of rebellion and foreign wars.

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Death

Date
December 14, 1799
Time
Approximately 10PM
Cause
Acute bacterial epiglottitis
Attending Physician
Dr. James Craik
Age
67
Resting Place
The Washington Family Tomb at Mount Vernon, Virginia

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