George Washington

1st President of the United States

(April 30, 1789 to March 3, 1797)

Nickname: "Father of His Country"

Born: February 22, 1732, in Westmoreland County, Virginia

Died: December 14, 1799, at Mount Vernon, Virginia

Father: Augustine Washington

Mother: Mary Ball Washington

Married: Martha Dandridge Custis (1732-1802), on January 6, 1759

Children: John "Jack" Parke Custis (adopted) and Martha "Patsy" Custis (adopted)

Religion: Episcopalian

Education: No formal education

Occupation: Planter, Soldier

Political Party: Federalist

Other Government Positions:

Member of Virginia House of Burgesses, 1759-74

Member of Continental Congress, 1774-75

Chairman of the Constitutional Convention, 1787-88

Presidential Salary: $25,000/year (refused by Washington)

Notable Events:

1789: The Judiciary Act specified the number of Federal courts and judges.

1790: Supreme Court met for the first time with John Jay as the Chief Justice.

1791: Federal capital established in swamplands on the Potomac.

A national banking system established by the Bank Act.

The Bill of Rights take effect.

1792: Post Office established by Congress as a separate entity.

New York Stock Exchange organized.

Coins are minted by the government as enacted by the Coinage Act.

1793: War breaks out between Britain and France. On April 22, U.S. declares neutrality.

1794: Whiskey Rebellion over excise tax in western Pennsylvania. Federal troops called to suppress the armed rebellion.

1795: The Jay Treaty ratified. British troops required to withdraw from the U.S.

Pinckney's Treaty with Spain opened navigation on Mississippi River.

Washington posed for Stuart's portrait, which is now on the one dollar bill.

1796: Washington delivered his Farewell Address.