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Born
He was born in 1732 into a Virginia planter family, he learned the morals, manners, and body of knowledge requisite for an 18th century Virginia gentleman. -
French and Indian War
In 1754, he fought the first battles of what grew into the French and Indian War. -
American Revolution outbreak
From 1759 to the outbreak of the American Revolution, Washington managed his lands around Mount Vernon and served in the Virginia House of Burgesses. -
Started Fighting In American revolution
When the Second Continental Congress assembled in Philadelphia in May 1775, Washington, one of the Virginia delegates, was elected Commander in Chief of the Continental Army. On July 3, 1775, at Cambridge, Massachusetts, he took command of his ill-trained troops and embarked upon a war that was to last six long years. -
Declaration of Independence??
George Washington did not sign the Declaration of Independence because in July 1776, he was in New York preparing to defend Manhattan against the British -
French Joined the War
He realized early that the best tactic was to harass the British. He reported to Congress, "We should on all occasions avoid a general Action, or put anything to the Risque, unless compelled by a necessity, into which we ought never to be drawn." Ensuing battles saw him fall back slowly, then strike unexpectedly. Finally in 1781 with the aid of French allies--he forced the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown. -
George Was Elected
After the Constitution was ratified, Washington unanimously won the presidential election and took the oath of office in New York on April 30, 1789. -
First President
On April 30, 1789, George Washington, standing on the balcony of Federal Hall on Wall Street in New York, took his oath of office as the first President of the United States. -
Retired
George resigned March 4, 1797 -
Death
Washington enjoyed less than three years of retirement at Mount Vernon, for he died of a throat infection December 14, 1799. For months the Nation mourned him.