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Washington Is Born
George Washington was born on February 22, 1732, in Westmoreland County, Virginia. The house that he was born in is 72 miles south of Washington D.C.and on the Potomac River. He was the oldest child in his family. George Washington’s great-grandfather came from England to Virginia. When the family left England, they were given land by Henry VIII. George Washington’s father died when he was 11. -
Washington Meets and Marries Martha
Martha was born June 2, 1731. She was 8 months older than George. Unlike most women in the early 1700s, Martha could read and write. The attraction between George and Martha was mutual and immediate. Martha was charming, attractive, and wealthy. George was over six feet two inches tall and had a solid reputation as a military leader. Ten months after meeting, they were married on January 6, 1759. -
Commander in Chief / Revolutionary War
The Continental Army was established by the Second Continental Congress as the Thirteen Colonies struggled to get Independence from England. When George Washington was appointed to oversee the Continental Army, he was already a well respected military leader with several successful battles to his credit. -
George Washington First president
George Washington served two terms while in office. the first one was primarily occupied by hi establishing the executive branch of the government and also establishing administrative procedures that would make it possible for the government to operate with the energy and the efficiency that he saw and would be best suited for the republic. -
George Washington's Farewell Adress
At the end of Washington’s second term, he published his “Farewell Address”. He believed that two terms were enough and didn't want the President to become a permanent figure like the King of England. His idea of limiting the President’s terms still stands today. In his Farewell Address, he warned about the dangers of political parties and how they could divide the country. He also warned people to only change the Constitution by Amendments, avoid debt and protect their independence. -
George Washington's Death
After serving his country for nearly his entire life and helping set up our government, George and Martha Washington hoped to have a long retirement at Mount Vernon out of the public's eye. While tending to his farm, he rode out on horseback and stayed out in weather that was a mix of snow, rain and hail. When he came in, he stayed in his wet clothes so he wouldn't be late for dinner. The next day, he was sick. Within a handful of days, he would die and would only be retired for about 3 years.
