George Washington
Also known as: The Father of His Country · His Excellency · The Indispensable Man
General - Founding Father - 1st President of the United States
Map
Timeline
Born in Virginia
Born on February 22 at Popes Creek plantation in Westmoreland County, Virginia, the son of a tobacco planter.
French and Indian War
Led Virginia militia forces in early engagements of the French and Indian War, surviving an ambush that killed the general beside him.
Commander-in-Chief
Unanimously appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army by the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia.
Crossing the Delaware
Led a daring Christmas night crossing of the Delaware River, winning decisive victories at Trenton and Princeton and saving the revolution.
Battle of Trenton
Trenton, New Jersey - vs Hessian forces under Colonel Rall - Surprise Christmas night attack rescued collapsing American morale and changed the course of the Revolutionary War.
Winter at Valley Forge
Led the army through the brutal winter encampment at Valley Forge, emerging with a disciplined, battle-hardened force.
Battle of Princeton
Princeton, New Jersey - vs British forces under Colonel Mawhood - Follow-up victory that forced British withdrawal from New Jersey and restored confidence in the Continental Army.
Battle of Brandywine
Brandywine Creek, Pennsylvania - vs British forces under General Howe - Washington was outflanked; Philadelphia fell shortly after, but the army survived to fight on.
Battle of Monmouth
Monmouth, New Jersey - vs British forces under General Clinton - The Continental Army's dramatically improved discipline was on display; proved Washington's men could stand against British regulars.
Victory at Yorktown
Coordinated with French land and naval forces to trap Cornwallis's army at Yorktown; the British surrender effectively ended the war.
Siege of Yorktown
Yorktown, Virginia - vs British forces under General Cornwallis - Decisive final major engagement of the Revolutionary War; Cornwallis's surrender ended meaningful British resistance.
Constitutional Convention
Presided over the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, lending essential legitimacy to the proceedings that produced the US Constitution.
First President of the United States
Inaugurated as the first President of the United States on April 30 in New York City, establishing the executive branch from scratch.
Farewell Address
Delivered his landmark Farewell Address, warning against political factions and permanent foreign alliances.
Death at Mount Vernon
Died on December 14 at Mount Vernon after a brief throat illness, likely acute epiglottitis, at the age of 67.
Family Tree
Parents
Augustine Washington
Father
1694-1743
Mary Ball Washington
Mother
1708-1789
Subject & Siblings
George Washington
Self
1732 - 1799
Martha Dandridge Custis
Wife
1731-1802
Spouses
John Parke Custis
Stepson
1754-1781
Martha Parke Custis
Stepdaughter
1756-1773
Key Contributions
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Sword Revolutionary War Command
Led the Continental Army to victory in eight years of war against the British Empire, keeping the army intact against overwhelming odds.
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FileText Constitutional Convention
Presided over the 1787 Constitutional Convention, shaping the foundation of American democratic governance.
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Flag First US President
Served two terms as the first President, establishing every precedent of the executive branch that successors would follow.
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RefreshCw Voluntary Relinquishment of Power
Voluntarily stepped down after two terms, setting a democratic precedent for peaceful transfer of power later enshrined in the 22nd Amendment.
Fun Facts
Smile
Wooden Teeth Myth
Washington's famous dentures were never made of wood. They were constructed from ivory, human teeth, animal teeth, and metal — secured with springs. They caused him constant pain.
Coffee
America's Largest Whiskey Distillery
By 1799, Mount Vernon's distillery was one of the largest in the young United States, producing nearly 11,000 gallons of rye whiskey annually.
Shield
Survived Smallpox
Washington contracted smallpox at age 19 during a trip to Barbados in 1751, which left him immune during the devastating epidemic that swept the Continental Army.
Acute epiglottitis — severe throat infection following exposure to sleet and cold rain
Location
Location: Mount Vernon, Fairfax County, Virginia
Burial: Mount Vernon, Fairfax County, Virginia
Those Present
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Martha Washington
Wife who remained at Washington's bedside throughout his final hours.
Impact
Washington's death brought national mourning on an unprecedented scale. Congress declared a day of mourning, and Napoleon Bonaparte ordered ten days of mourning in France. His Farewell Address warning against political factionalism and foreign entanglements has been cited by every major political tradition in American history.
See Also
Other Figures
Related Events
Related Sites
"It is better to offer no excuse than a bad one."
Letter to his niece Harriet Washington, October 30, 1791