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George Washington

1789–1797 · Independent · Virginia

The first president — he showed the country how to lead, then how to leave.

Lived: 1732–1799
Vice president: John Adams
Nickname: Father of His Country
Home state: Virginia

“The preservation of the sacred fire of liberty is entrusted to the American people.”
From his first inaugural address, 1789 (lightly shortened)

The story

George Washington was the first president of the United States. He led the Continental Army in the American Revolution. Congress chose him to command that army. After the victory, he gave the army back to civilian authority.

Americans asked him to be president. He did not join a political party. He was Independent. He wanted people to serve the country, not a faction. He served two terms, then went home to Mount Vernon in Virginia.

There was no term-limit law yet. Walking away showed that a president is a citizen with a job, not a king. Washington proved the Constitution is bigger than any one person.

Why it matters

He proved a president is a citizen with a job — not a ruler for life.

Know this for the quiz

The questions come from this page — the story, these facts, the quote, and the labels up top.

He is the only president elected unanimously by the Electoral College. Americans trusted him to invent the job.
He created the first Cabinet, a team of helpers for the president. Jefferson and Hamilton were in it. Later presidents kept the idea.
His Farewell Address warned against bitter party fights and permanent foreign alliances. The Senate still reads it every year.
He put down the Whiskey Rebellion. Western farmers refused a whiskey tax, so Washington led militia into Pennsylvania and restored order. Federal law had to be obeyed.
He added the words “so help me God” to the presidential oath. The Constitution’s oath does not include those words. Many presidents have followed his custom.
The Residence Act of 1790 placed the new national capital on the Potomac River. The city was later named for Washington.
He signed the first U.S. patent and copyright laws. Those laws protected inventors and writers who made new machines and wrote books.
After Washington, his vice president John Adams became president. Adams won the 1796 election. That was the first handoff of the new office.

Fun fact

His false teeth were not made of wood. They used ivory, metal, and other materials — and they hurt, which is one reason he looks stiff in portraits.

Check for understanding

20 questions from the lesson above. Misses come with a short explanation — then the lesson is yours.

Question 1 of 20

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The story

Why it matters

Check for understanding

Who was the first president of the United States?