George Washington (1732-1799) won a lasting place in American History as
the "Father of our Country". For nearly twenty years he guided his
country much as a father cares for a growing child.
Washington lived an exciting life in exciting times. As a boy, he
explored the wilderness. When he grew older, he helped the British
fight the French and Indians. Many times he was nearly killed. As a
general he suffered hardships with his troops in the cold winters.
He lost many battles, but led the American Army to final victory.
After he became President, he successfully solved many problems facing
his country,
Washington belonged to an old colonial family that believed in hard
work, in public service and in worshipping God. George Washington was
born in Westmoreland county, Virginia, on a farm, on February 22, 1732.
His first American ancestor came to Virginia from England in 1657.
Farming, land buying, trading, milling, and the iron industry were the
means by which the family rose in the world. George's father, Augustine,
had four children by his first wife and six by his second wife, Mary
Ball, George's mother.
Of George's early life little is known. His formal education was
slight: no more than 7 or 8 years of school. Men, plantation life and
the haunts of river, field and forest were his principal teachers. His
favourite subject was arithmetic. He studied enough history and
geography to know something of the outside world. But he never learned
very much about literature, foreign languages and history.
At the age of 14 he began to work as a surveyor, making many
trips into the wilderness areas of Virginia and Pennsylvania. His
military experience came in the French and Indian War, when he was sent
on two missions deep into the Ohio county.
In 1759 Washington retired and married Martha Dandridge, a rich widow.
He became a loving stepfather to Martha's two children. He was a
progressive farmer of that time.
In XVIII century American colonists grew angrier and angrier at
the taxes placed on them by Great Britain. In September 1771 the
Continental Congress met, where Washington had his first chance to meet
and talk with leaders of other colonies. The members were impressed with
his judgment and military knowledge. He was sent to attend the Second
Continental Congress (1775) where he was elected a commander-in-chief of
the Continental Army. He proved himself a capable commander of the War
of Independence.
In 1787 Washington was chosen president of the Continental
Convention and later elected first president of the republic (1789),
followed by reelection (1792).
George Washington died after an illness of two days on December 14,
1799.
No other American has been honored more than Washington. The
nation's capital, Washington D. C, was named after him. There the giant
Washington Monument stands. The state of Washington is the only state
named after President. Many cities, parks, streets, bridges, lakes, and
schools bear his name. Washington's portrait appears on postage stamps,
on the $1 bill, and on the quarter.
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