Years in Office: 1789 to 1797

George Washington was our first president. He is known as the "Father of our Country". Washington was the son of a wealthy Virginia plantation owner. When George was 15 years old he became interested in surveying and marketing out new farms in the wilderness. By the time he was 17 he was a professional surveyor, laying out the plans for towns.

During the French and Indian war he served in the British army and was made Lieutenant-Colonel at the age of 22. In 1760 Washington inherited Mt. Vernon (a plantation) and spent his time developing it and establishing a large fortune. He was also a member of the Colonial Legislature. When the revolutionary war broke out Washington led armies of the 13 colonies to victory over the British. In 1792 he was elected for a 2nd term. He refused to serve a 3rd term and retired at Mt. Vernon.

Washington was the only president that didn't live in the White House. New York and Philadelphia were the national capitols while he was president. Washington helped choose the place where our nation's capitol city, Washington D.C, now stands. While he was president the Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution, the first bank was charted by congress, the National Mint for making money was established, the first meeting of the Supreme Court took place. Kentucky, Vermont, and Tennessee were added to make 16 states.