1. George Washington Husband, War-hero, President

2. Early Life George Washington was born to slave owning, tobacco planters, Augustine and Mary Ball Washington on February 22, 1732. George worked on this plantation all of his early life along with his brother, Lawrence after his father’s death. Washington then joined in on the French and Indian War in 1754 when he was only twenty-two. Within one year, Washington would be involved in the Battle of Monongahela, in which the commanding general is killed. Washington began rallying the British and Virginian troops in a retreat. After the battle, Washington was commended with the commission of “Colonel of Virginia Regiment, Commander in Chief of all forces in defense of His Majesty’s Colony.” Washington became officer over a thousand soldiers and, overall, fought four years in the French and Indian War. Upon returning home, George married Martha Custis, January 6, 1759 and moved to Mount Vernon, in Virginia with his family.

3. The Revolution In the beginning of the Revolution, Washington openly opposed the Stamp Act, then protested the Townshend Acts. After the ‘Intolerable Acts’ were passed, Washington called them “an invasion of our rights and privileges.” Soon after, George Washington became a delegate for the First Continental Congress. Although in the Second Continental Congress, Washington was appointed as Major General and Commander in Chief of the Newly formed Continental Army.

4. Battles Fought George Washington became well known for his crossing the Delaware River for his Christmas attack on a Hessian fort in Trenton. The raid was successful and was soon followed by attacking a British base in Princeton in January, 1777. Another important battle would be fought at Yorktown with the help from thousands of French troops allied with the colonists. The five-thousand French troops had landed in Rhode Island, July of 1780. Washington managed to win the battle and the war after the British surrender in October, 1781.

5. Presidency After the war, Washington became part of the constitutional convention taking place in Philadelphia, 1787. He was elected president of the convention and; soon after the newly formed constitution had been ratified by all thirteen states, unanimously elected President of the United States with 100% of the Electoral college votes. Washington declined the Congress’ offered salary of $25,000 a year, as the already wealthy Washington wished to be viewed as a selfless public servant. Washington served as President from 1789-1797.