1. President George Washington By Jack Brodman Video

2. The Electoral College The Electoral College members were chosen by the state legislature to represent the popular vote. The Electoral College unanimously chose George Washington to be the first president of the United States of America. George Washington was sworn into office in New York on April 30, 1789. He was 57 years old.

3. Salary George Washington was offered a $25,000 salary, but he declined it because he was a selfless public servant. He eventually accepted it because Congress was begging him to, so it did not set a precedent where only independently wealthy people could be president.

4. Planning the Nation’s Capital Washington D.C. was not the capital of the United States of America in the 1780’s. George Washington helped plan, locate, and establish it. He is the only president that did not live in the White House.

5. Farewell Address Washington’s Farewell Address first appeared in Philadelphia newspapers on September 19, 1796. In the address, he recommended that the government seldom borrow money to avoid “the accumulation of debt.” He also warned the nation not to make permanent alliances with other countries because it could bring the United States to war.

6. Resignation George Washington resigned from presidency in March, 1797. He went back to his house in Mount Vernon, Virginia. He spent most of his time farming. He set two precedents for the presidents following him. The first was a two term limit. The other precedent was establishing the cabinet. The cabinet was a group of high ranking officials that advised the president. Every president after George Washington also had a cabinet.