1. George Washington was the first president of the United States who led the country through its early years and established important precedents for future presidents. 2. He commanded the Continental Army to victory in the American Revolutionary War and presided over the Constitutional Convention that established the US government. 3. After two terms as president, he declined to run for a third term and retired to his plantation at Mount Vernon, where he died at the age of 67.

2. At age 57, he had all of his teeth pulled out.
Though none were made of wood, he had several sets of
dentures.

3. He loved horses and was known
as an excellent equestrian.
A couple of horses that he had
during the Revolution were
named “Nelson” and “Blueskin.”

4. By age 30 he had survived smallpox,
malaria, and dysentery.

5. For 30 years, he established a
strong relationship with one of
his slaves, William Lee.
William Lee accompanied him
throughout the Revolution.
Upon Washington’s death, he
freed his entire slave population
including William Lee.

6. He was initiated into the Masonic
order in 1752.

7. Born on February 22, 1732,
in Westmoreland County,
Virginia.
Gentry parents Augustine
and Mary Ball Washington.
Reproduction of Wakefield Mansion, the place
of Washington’s birth.

8. "When George was about six years old, he was made the wealthy master
of a hatchet! of which, like most little boys, he was immoderately fond,
and was constantly going about chopping everything that came in his
way. One day, in the garden, where he often amused himself hacking his
mother's pea-sticks, he unluckily tried the edge of his hatchet on the
body of a beautiful young English cherry-tree, which he barked so
terribly, that I don't believe the tree ever got the better of it. The next
morning the old gentleman, finding out what had befallen his tree,
which, by the by, was a great favorite, came into the house; and with
much warmth asked for the mischievous author, declaring at the same
time, that he would not have taken five guineas for his tree. Nobody
could tell him any thing about it. Presently George and his hatchet made
their appearance. "George," said his father, "do you know who killed
that beautiful little cherry tree yonder in the garden?" This was a tough
question; and George staggered under it for a moment; but quickly
recovered himself: and looking at his father, with the sweet face of
youth
brightened with the inexpressible charm of all-conquering truth, he bravely cried out, "I can't tell a lie, Pa;
you know I can't tell a lie. I did cut it with my hatchet."—Run to my arms, you dearest boy, cried his father in
transports, run to my arms; glad am I, George, that you killed my tree; for you have paid me for it a thousand
fold. Such an act of heroism in my son is more worth than a thousand trees, though blossomed with silver,
and their fruits of purest gold."

9. His father died when he
was 11.
As a result, he never
attended England's Appleby
School as his older brothers
had done.
He received the equivalent
of an elementary education.

10. He was appointed official
surveyor of Culpeper
County.

11. George Washington’s older
half-brother.
Prominent land-owner and
investor in the Ohio
Company.
Owned and named the
Mount Vernon estate.
Commander of the Virginia Militia.

12. After Lawrence’s death, Virginia’s Lieutenant Governor,
appointed Washington major in the Virginia Militia.

13. He was sent into the Ohio
Country with a letter
requesting that the French
leave British claims.
Washington delivering the letter to the
French commander at Fort LeBoeuf.

14. On the return trip from Fort Le Boef, a hastily
constructed raft capsized placing Washington
in the frozen waters of the Allegheny River.
A Native allied with the French attempted to
assassinate George Washington.

15. To protect a group of fort
builders at the source of the
Ohio River, he was sent back
into the Ohio Country.
His party ambushed the French
and their Indian allies, who were
already building at the location.
The massacre at Jumonville Glen.

16. Responding to Washington’s ambush, the French attacked
the British and forced him to surrender.
Washington and his men were allowed to return to Virginia.

17. Washington escorted British
General Edward Braddock
into the Ohio Country to expel
the French.
After the French ambushed
the expedition and killed
Braddock, Washington
organized the retreat.

18. During the Battle of Monongahela, Washington had two horses shot out from under him and four
bullets pierced his coat

19. Leading the Virginia Regiment, he
learned to organize and drill troops.
He led his men in campaigns
against the Indians in the West.
Over 10 months, his units fought in
20 battles losing a third of his men.
His efforts ensured that Virginia’s frontier population
suffered less losses than that of other colonies.

20. In 1759, he married the
prominent Martha Dandridge
Custis.
They had no children, as it’s
believed he was sterile from a
bout with Smallpox.
They moved to Mount Vernon,
near Alexandria, Virginia.

22. Managing over 100 slaves, he
converted Mount Vernon’s cash
crop from tobacco to wheat.
He enjoyed fox hunting,
cockfighting, playing cards, horse
racing, partying, and dancing.
He became politically active in
the House of Burgesses and
Virginia’s provisional legislature.

23. He opposed the Stamp
Act.
He proposed boycotting
British goods.
Virginia selected him as a
delegate to the 1st
Continental Congress.

24. “Since the first settlement of this
Colony (Virginia) the Minds of
People in it never were more
disturbed, or our situation so
critical as at present; arising as I
have said before from an Invasion
of our Rights and Privileges by
the Mother Country”
George Washington
June 1774

25. After the Battles of Lexington
and Concord, he appeared in
front of the 2nd
Continental
Congress in full military
uniform.
Needing Southern support,
John Adams of Massachusetts
nominated Washington leader
of the Continental Army.
Unanimously, he was chosen.

26. He forced the British to
evacuate Boston by
reorganized the sieging
forces.
Afterwards, he moved his
men to defend New York
City.

27. Badly outnumbered, ill-equipped, and with many of his men
deserting, he was forced to retreat.
With enlistments about to expire, his army was in jeopardy.

28. 1. On Christmas night, 1776,
his men crossed the
Delaware River and
defeated the Hessians in
Trenton, New Jersey.
2. Ten days later, his army
attacked and forced the
Redcoats at Princeton to
evacuate New Jersey.
Washington crossing the Delaware River.

30. In an attempt to defend
Philadelphia from the invading
British, his inexperienced men
were defeated.
Some members of Congress
desired to remove Washington
after this defeat.
His supporters rallied to his
defense.

31. During the Battle of Brandywine, a British sniper, Major Patrick Ferguson, had a tall, distinguished
American officer in his sights. Since the officer had his back to him, Ferguson thought it would be
ungentlemanly to take the shot.
Only later did Ferguson learn that George Washington had been on the battlefield that day.

32. 1. He avoided military
confrontation.
1. In the face of a superior British
military, he kept his army intact,
for 8 years, often by retreating.
2. During battle, he was personally
brave.
2. Because he was a poor military
tactician, he dangerously
exposed his army to the enemy.
3. He was an armature
at commanding
large field armies.
3. His commanding presence and
natural leadership skills enabled
him to motivate his troops.
4. When his undisciplined and
ragged army appeared defeated, his
spirits remained high.

34. In December 1777, his
battered 11,000 soldiers went
into winter quarters just north
of Philadelphia.
The next spring, with less
than 9,000 men, he left camp
with a professionally trained
army

36. With the help of the French
navy, he forced the British to
surrender at the Battle of
Yorktown.
Stunning the aristocrats of
Europe, he resigned as
Commander-in-Chief when
the war was over.

38. When King George III asked
American-born painter Benjamin
West what Washington planned to
do now that he had won the war,
West replied:
"They say he will return
to his farm.“
The King replied:
"If he does that, he will be
the greatest man in the
world."

39. Persuaded to attend the Constitutional Convention, in
Philadelphia, he was selected president of the Convention.
He participated little in the debates, but he kept the other
delegates focused.

40. He was unanimously elected president in 1789 and again in
1792.

42. Fearing that partisanship
would divide the nation, He
was not a member of any
political party.

43. “…(political parties) may now and then
answer popular ends, they are likely in
the course of time and things, to
become potent engines, by which
cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled
men will be enabled to subvert the
power of the people and to usurp for
themselves the reins of government,
destroying afterwards the very
engines which have lifted them to
unjust dominion.”
George Washington
,

44. When some people protested
a tax on whiskey, he
demonstrated the strength of
the federal government.
He re-established relations
with Great Britain.
He appointed commissioners to acquire and survey land for
the permanent seat of the U.S. government.

45. 1. Declining majestic titles, he was
called “Mr. President.”
2. Recognizing the need for
advisors, he established a
cabinet to the executive office.
3. He declined to accept a third
term.

46. 1. Avoid political parties.
2. Avoid alliances and remain neutral.
3. Religion and morality are essential.
4. Ensure the nation’s strength and
security by avoiding debt.
Before leaving office, he warned the nation of the possible
dangers to Republicanism.

47. As war loomed, President
John Adams asked him to
return to the post of
Commander-in-Chief.
Reluctantly, he agreed, and
he appointed officers to
help lead the Provisional
Army.

48. Washington inspected his
plantation in a freezing rain.
Without changing his wet
clothes, he ate supper.
The next morning, he had a
soar throat and was ill.
Following medical practices,
he was bled by a physician.

49. On December 14, 1799, at
around 10:00 PM, he died at
the age of 67.
His last words were: “Tis well.”
He was interred in the
Washington Family Tomb at
Mount Vernon

51. “First in war—first in peace—and first in the hearts of his countrymen, he
was second to none in the humble and enduring scenes of private life;
pious, just, humane, temperate, and sincere; uniform, dignified, and
commanding, his example was as edifying to all around him as were the
effects of that example lasting. To his equals he was condescending, to his
inferiors kind, and to the dear object of his affections exemplarily tender;
correct throughout, vice shuddered in his presence, and virtue always felt
his fostering hand; the purity of his private character gave effulgence to his
public virtues. His last scene comported with the whole tenor of his life—
although in extreme pain, not a sigh, not a groan escaped him; and with
undisturbed serenity he closed his well-spent life. Such was the man
America has lost—such was the man for whom our nation mourns.”
Henry "Light-Horse Harry" Lee
Congressman

53. Obelisk made of marble,
granite, and bluestone gneiss.
The world’s tallest stone
structure (555 ft. 5 1/8 in.).
Until the Eifel Tower, it was the
world’s tallest structure.
The cornerstone was laid on
July 4, 1848; the capstone was
set on December 6, 1884.

54. Alexandria, VA
Standing 333 ft. tall it resembles
the lighthouse of Alexandria in
Egypt.
Construction started in 1922
and the memorial was opened
in May of 1932.

56. Federal Hall Wall St.,
New York City, NY
Boston Public Garden
Boston, MA
Union Square,
New York City, NY
Smithsonian
National Museum
of American History
Independence Hall,
Philadelphia, PA
Fort LeBoeuf Park,
Waterford, PA
Trafalgar Square,
London, U.K.
Capitol Grounds
Richmond, VA