First American President, George Washington (1789 –1797)

10 INTERESTING FACTS about George Washington Started Out as a Surveyor Asserted Federal Authority During the Whiskey Rebellion Washington did not attend college. However, because he had an affinity for math, he started his career as a surveyor for Culpepper County, Virginia at the age of 17. He spent three years at this job before joining the British military. In 1794, Washington met his first real challenge to federal authority head on with the Whiskey Rebellion. This was when Pennsylvania farmers refused pay taxes on Whiskey and other goods. Washington was able to stop to this when he sent in federal troops to put down the rebellion and ensure compliance. Saw Military Action in the 7. Was a Proponent of Neutrality French and Indian War During the French and Indian War (1754-1763), Washington became aide-de-camp to General Edward Braddock. Braddock was killed during the war, and Washington was recognized for keeping calm and keeping the unit together. President Washington was a huge proponent of neutrality in foreign affairs. In 1793, he declared that the US would be impartial towards powers currently at war with each other in the Proclamation of Neutrality. Was Commander of the Continental Army Set Many Presidential Precedents Washington was the Commander in Chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolution. He led a group of soldiers against a far superior army to victory resulting in independence. Washington himself realized that he would be setting many precedents. Some of the major precedents include the fact that he appointed cabinet secretaries without getting approval from Congress, and he only served two terms in office. Was President of the Constitutional Convention Fathered No Children Though Had Two Stepchildren The Constitutional Convention met in 1787 to deal with the weaknesses that had become apparent in the Articles of Confederation. Washington was named president and presided over the writing of the US Constitution. George Washington married Martha Dandridge Custis. She was a widow who had two children from her previous marriage. However, the two of them never had children together. Was the Only Unanimously Elected President 10 Called Mount Vernon Home George Washington has been the only president in the history of the American presidéncy to be unanimously elected to the office. In fact, he also received all the electoral votes when he ran for his second term in office. James Monroe was the only other president who came close, with only one electoral vote against him in 1820. Washington called Mount Vernon home from the age of 16 when he lived with his brother Lawrence. He was later able to purchase the home from his brother's widow. He loved his home and spent as much time as possible there over the years before retiring to the land. INFOGRAPHIC PROVIDED BY: -THE HERALDING www.TheHeralding.com SOURCE: http:/l/americanhistory.about.com/od/georgewashington/tp/washingtontop 10.htm 21 3)