George Washington

George Washington is known as the “Father of his Country.” Washington was born in Virginia in 1732. Washington ran his family’s farm, Mount Vernon, which spanned 8,000 acres.

Washington fought for freedom as the commander of the Virginia militia. He later served in the Virginia colonial legislature and the Continental Congress. In 1775, Congress selected him to be Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army. For six years, Washington led the American army in its fight for freedom from British tyranny.

The new nation turned to the business of creating a government. The Articles of Confederation proved inadequate, and Washington was selected to lead the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, 1787. Once the Constitution was complete, Washington was unanimously elected to be the first president.

He served two terms as president, discouraging political parties and working to keep the new nation out of foreign wars. In his farewell address, Washington urged his fellow citizens to cherish “the free Constitution, which is the work of your hands” as the best way to ensure their continued freedom.