George Washington

George Washington is known as the father of our country. This great leader was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia. He studied military science with his brother and then joined the Virginia militia. He was a natural leader and went on to become the chief of the Continental Army. He was able to lead the American troops against the British army to victory in the Revolutionary War.

He married Martha Dandridge Custis on January 6, 1759. She was a young and wealthy widow with two children. George and Martha did not have children of their own, but George adopted Martha’s two children.

In 1789, Washington was unanimously voted president. Upon learning of the news that he was elected president, he traveled to New York, which was the temporary capital of the United States. As Washington’s coach traveled from town to town on the way to New York, the crowds cheered their new president on.

Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, and Henry Knox were some of the members of Washington’s cabinet. Washington served two terms as president. Washington quickly tired of the clashes between the two forming parties and retired from politics.