First President of the United States -
George Washington

George Washington is one of the leading personalities of American History. The First President of the United States is remembered as an inspiring leader. He is also called the 'Father of his country' for he led the nation during the American Revolutionary War and presided over the Constitutional Convention that drafted the Constitution of the United States.

George Washington - Fast Facts

Vice President: John Adams
Date of Birth: February 22, 1732
Date of Death (age): December 14, 1799 (67)
First Day of Term (age): April 30, 1789 (57)
Last Day of Term (age): March 3, 1797 (65)

Notable Achievements:

Commander-in-Chief of the Army during the American Revolution, one of the founding fathers of the American Constitution, Twice President of the United States.

George Washington - His Life and Work

A resident of Virginia, George Washington was both a military leader and a statesman and is considered by scholars to be one of the three greatest Presidents of the United States. Beginning his career as a surveyor, Washington then joined the Virginia Militia, where he distinguished himself in battle. In 1758, Washington resigned from military life and retired to live the life of a wealthy planter in Virginia. He was also elected to the Virginia Provincial Legislature but did not play an active role in politics.

However the imposition of certain British Acts in 1775 led to Washington's being appointed the Commander in Chief of the Continental Army. Washington led the Army to victory, not by great victories in battle but by strategic measures such as wearing down the enemy, while conserving his own troops. The American Revolution ended with the Treaty of Paris in 1783 and the recognition of the United States as an independent nation.

President George Washington

The Electoral College of legislators unanimously elected George Washington as President of the United States in 1789 and in 1792. During his Presidency, Washington refused to accept a salary, since he was personally wealthy and set a high standard of conduct as a statesman. He refused to run for a third term as President.

George Washington Trivia

• George Washington was over 6 ft tall. Some sources say 6 ft 2 in.
• George Washington's face is one of the four faces of American Presidents carved on Mt Rushmore.
• Washington D.C., the capital of the United States is named after George Washington.
• After retiring from the Presidency, George Washington became one of the largest Whisky distillers of his time.

George Washington was mourned as a man who was "First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen, he was second to none…" Maps of World brings you a profile of George Washington and the Presidents of the United States.