George Washington (1732-1799) (2018)

The first President of the USA is affectionately honoured as "the father of his country". Two centuries ago, George Washington, presented his Farewell Address to the American people. In it he expressed his concerns for, and advice to the young country. He suggested rules by which America as a nation among nations should conduct her affairs.

George Washington was born on Feb. 22, 1732 in Westmoreland County, Virginia. George's father died when the boy was 11 years old. He had very little formal schooling, but taught himself to be an expert woodsman, surveyor (a person who determines the boundaries and area of tracts of land), and mapmaker. Washington grew to be over 6 feet tall; this was very rare in colonial times.

At the age of 20 Washington was appointed adjutant in the Virginia militia. For the next three years, he fought in the wars against the French and Indians, and after many heroic battles he became a colonel and the leader of Virginia's militia.

In order to pay for the expensive French and Indian War, the British taxed the Colonists, angering them. In Boston the Colonists revolted, throwing precious tea into Boston Harbour. The tension was increasing. In 1775, Washington was chosen as the Commander in Chief of the Colonial Army. In 1776, the Colonists declared their independence from the British. General Washington led and encouraged his inexperienced patriot troops who were poorly trained, barely paid and badly equipped against the British forces for eight years until the colonies won their independence.

Due to the brilliant planning of George Washington, the British were defeated in 1781 after many bloody battles. The Americans were now independent of the British.

1787, Washington presided over the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, during which the U.S. Constitution was written.

Washington was unanimously elected the first President of the United States of America in 1789 and again in 1792. He refused a third Presidential term, saying in his farewell speech that a longer rule would give one man too much power. During Washington's presidency, the Bill of Rights, guaranteeing the rights of the American people, was adopted in 1791.

After his death, the nation's capital was moved from Philadelphia to a location on the border of Virginia and Maryland near Washington's home, and was named Washington, District of Columbia in his honour.

Check your comprehension.

1. When was George Washington born? 2. What state was he born in? 3. How did he get education? 4. In what war did he participate, serving in Virginia militia? 5. Why did the colonists revolt against the British? 6. What helped the inexperienced colonists defeat the British? 7. When did the colonists declare their independence from Britain? 8. How many times was Washington elected President? 9. Why did he refuse to be elected for the third term? 10. How was Washington honoured in his country?

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