GW K-5 Birthday Timeline
Mount VernonGeorge Washington Timeline
Why is George Washington's image on the quarter and one dollar bill? Learn about the life of our first president by exploring this timeline of his life.
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1730
1732, February 22
George Washington is Born
George Washington was born on a plantation called Pope’s Creek. His father was Augustine and his mother was Mary. He had two older half-brothers and one older half-sister.
1738
George Washington Moves to Ferry Farm
George Washington lived in Virginia. As a young boy, he lived on three different farms. He moved to Ferry Farm when he was seven years old.
1740
1743, April 12
George Washington Loses His Father
George Washington was eleven when his father died. George was put in charge of the family farm. He took care of his mother and younger brothers and sisters. He managed crops and the enslaved people who worked on the farm.
1746
George Washington Learns
George Washington was not able to go to school after his father died. He continued his education by reading books and practicing math. He read the Rules of Civility to improve his manners. He read a book about surveying to improve his math. Until his death, George Washington continued to learn through books.
1750
1751
George Washington Takes a Trip
George Washington went on a trip when he was nineteen years old. He went to an island in the Caribbean called Barbados. He went with his half-brother Lawrence who was sick. Doctors said the warm weather in Barbados would help Lawrence.
1753, October 31
George Washington Joins the Military
George Washington was sent to the Ohio Territory when he was twenty-one years old. His job was to tell the French troops there to leave. The French refused to leave and the French and Indian War started. During the war George Washington was in charge of the Virginia Regiment.
1754
George Washington to his brother Jack after the Battle of Jumonville GlenI heard the bullets whistle, and believe me there is something charming in the sound. ”
1758, July 24
George Washington Enters Politics
George Washington was elected to represent Frederick County in the Virginia House of Burgesses. The House of Burgesses was part of Virginia’s government.
1759, January 6
George Washington Gets Married
George Washington married Martha Custis. Martha had been married before but her husband died. She had two children, John and Martha. In April George moved his new wife and step-children to his home, Mount Vernon.
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When she married Colonel George Washington on January 6, 1759, Martha Dandridge Custis is said to have worn a
Historical scene of George and Martha Washington arriving at Mount Vernon. George and Martha are being greeted by a number of women at the front door of Mount Vernon, one of whom bows to them, as several African-American enslaved individuals visible in the distance to the right of them.
Miniature portrait of John Parke Custis by Charles Willson Peale
Miniature portrait of Martha Parke Washington by Charles Willson Peale
1760
1761
George Washington Inherits Mount Vernon
George Washington rented his home, Mount Vernon, from his sister-in-law. When she died George Washington became the owner of Mount Vernon.
1766
George Washington Stops Growing Tobacco
George Washington grew tobacco as a crop on his farms until 1766 when he realized that tobacco used up many of the nutrients in the soil. He changed the crops he grew to grains like wheat.
1770
1775, June 15
Washington Becomes Commander in Chief
George Washington was chosen to lead the army during the American Revolution. His job was to fight the British Army. The Second Continental Congress gave him the title Commander in Chief.
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George Washington wrote this letter to Martha just before departing Philadelphia for the American camp at Cambridge, Massachusetts.
In October 1775, shortly after assuming command of the Continental Army, George Washington bought
The Battle of Dorchester Heights resulted in two significant
Washington depended on telescopes to monitor British and American troop movements during the Revolution. His wartime letters frequently mention requests and purchases of
1776, December 25
George Washington Crosses the Delaware
George Washington led a secret mission on Christmas night. His troops crossed the icy Delaware River. Early in the morning they attacked soldiers fighting for England. The soldiers surrendered. This was a big victory for George Washington.
1778
George Washington Goes to Valley Forge
George Washington and his soldiers spent the winter in a camp called Valley Forge. It was very cold that winter. There was not enough food, clothing, or firewood for the soldiers.
1780
1783, December 23
George Washington Resigns from the Army
George Washington and his troops won the American Revolution. After he left his job in the army he went home to Mount Vernon.
1789, April 30
George Washington Becomes President of the United States
George Washington was the first President of the United States of America. His inauguration was in New York City. New York City was the first capital of the United States.
1790
1790, January 9
George Washington to Catherine Macaulay GrahamIn our progress towards political happiness my station is new; and, if I may use the expression, I walk on untrodden ground. ”
1791
George Washington Travels to the South
George Washington wanted to meet the people who lived in the United States. He went on a trip to the states in the South. Each day he traveled between 25-40 miles.
1792, January 5
George Washington Becomes President of the United States...again
George Washington was chosen to be President of the United States two times. His second inauguration was in Philadelphia. Philadelphia was the capital of the United States after 1790.
1797
George Washington Retires
George Washington decided it was time for someone else to be president. He had been president for eight years. He returned home to Mount Vernon. John Adams became the second president.
1797, April 7
George Washington to James AndersonI am once more seated under my own Vine and fig tree, and hope to spend the remainder of my dayswhich in the ordinary course of things (being in my Sixty sixth year) cannot be manyin peaceful retirement, making political pursuits yield to the more rational amusement of cultivating the Earth.”
1799, December 14
George Washington Dies at Mount Vernon
George Washington died from a throat infection when he was 67 years old. He was buried at Mount Vernon. People mourned his death for many months.
1799, December 28
From a eulogy written by Henry "Light Horse Harry" LeeFirst in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen.”