April 30, 1789: George Washington Becomes the First President On this day in 1789, George Washington was inaugurated in New York City as the first president of the United States of America. At Federal Hall, New York Chancellor Robert Livingston swore him into office. Washington recited these words from the Constitution: “I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of the President of the United States and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.” Although it was not in the script, he went ahead and added, “So help me God.” In every presidential inauguration since then, every president has followed tradition and repeated those same last four words. Celebrate this moment by reading George Washington’s inaugural speech. Image: George Washington, full-length portrait, standing on bunker c.1839 (Library of Congress)
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April 30, 1789: George Washington Becomes the First President

On this day in 1789, George Washington was inaugurated in New York City as the first president of the United States of America. At Federal Hall, New York Chancellor Robert Livingston swore him into office.

Washington recited these words from the Constitution:

“I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of the President of the United States and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

Although it was not in the script, he went ahead and added, “So help me God.” In every presidential inauguration since then, every president has followed tradition and repeated those same last four words.

Celebrate this moment by reading George Washington’s inaugural speech.

Image: George Washington, full-length portrait, standing on bunker c.1839 (Library of Congress)

Feb. 21, 1885: The Dedication of the Washington Monument On this day in 1885, the Washington Monument was officially dedicated. Three years later, it was opened to the general public. The Washington Monument lies in the center of Washington, D.C. and it commemorates the first president of the United States, George Washington. The monument was designed by Robert Mills and it was completed by Thomas Casey. Once construction was done, the Washington Monument was the world’s tallest building, measuring 555 feet.  See how the Washington Monument and other iconic locations in Washington, D.C. have changed throughout the past 100 years. Top Photo: Washington Monument in 1860; Bottom Photo: Washington Monument in 1902 (Library of Congress).
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Feb. 21, 1885: The Dedication of the Washington Monument On this day in 1885, the Washington Monument was officially dedicated. Three years later, it was opened to the general public. The Washington Monument lies in the center of Washington, D.C. and it commemorates the first president of the United States, George Washington. The monument was designed by Robert Mills and it was completed by Thomas Casey. Once construction was done, the Washington Monument was the world’s tallest building, measuring 555 feet.  See how the Washington Monument and other iconic locations in Washington, D.C. have changed throughout the past 100 years. Top Photo: Washington Monument in 1860; Bottom Photo: Washington Monument in 1902 (Library of Congress).
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Feb. 21, 1885: The Dedication of the Washington Monument

On this day in 1885, the Washington Monument was officially dedicated. Three years later, it was opened to the general public.

The Washington Monument lies in the center of Washington, D.C. and it commemorates the first president of the United States, George Washington. The monument was designed by Robert Mills and it was completed by Thomas Casey. Once construction was done, the Washington Monument was the world’s tallest building, measuring 555 feet. 

See how the Washington Monument and other iconic locations in Washington, D.C. have changed throughout the past 100 years.

Top Photo: Washington Monument in 1860; Bottom Photo: Washington Monument in 1902 (Library of Congress).

Dec. 23, 1783: George Washington Resigns as Commander in Chief of Continental ArmyOn this day in 1783, George Washington submitted his resignation of his military commission as commander in chief of the Continental Army. The next day, he left Annapolis (where Congress was located at the time) and set out for his home in Virginia, Mount Vernon. Washington’s willing resignation of his military powers and his return to private life are considered striking since democratic republics are thought to be especially vulnerable to military dictatorship. Washington became as famous for his willingness to relinquish command as for his successful conduct of it in the Revolutionary War. Six years later, he would become president. Explore George Washington’s personal life, military career, and presidency with this extensive timeline.Image: “General George Washington Resigning His Commission,” 1824 painting by John Trumbull, displayed at the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol (Architect of the Capitol).
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Dec. 23, 1783:

George Washington Resigns as Commander in Chief of Continental Army

On this day in 1783, George Washington submitted his resignation of his military commission as commander in chief of the Continental Army. The next day, he left Annapolis (where Congress was located at the time) and set out for his home in Virginia, Mount Vernon.

Washington’s willing resignation of his military powers and his return to private life are considered striking since democratic republics are thought to be especially vulnerable to military dictatorship. Washington became as famous for his willingness to relinquish command as for his successful conduct of it in the Revolutionary War. Six years later, he would become president.

Explore George Washington’s personal life, military career, and presidency with this extensive timeline.

Image: “General George Washington Resigning His Commission,” 1824 painting by John Trumbull, displayed at the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol (Architect of the Capitol).

Source: to.pbs.org

October 19, 1781: British Army Surrenders at the Battle of Yorktown On this day in 1781, the joint forces of the American Continental and French troops defeated the British at the Battle of Yorktown in Yorktown, Virginia.  The surrender of the British Army by Lieutenant General Lord Cornwallis marked a key victory for the Continental Army, led by General George Washington.  The Battle of Yorktown was the last major land battle of the American Revolutionary War in within the American colonies. Peace negotiations began in 1782, and the Treaty of Paris, which recognized the United States as a free and independent nation, was signed the following year. Check out this Liberty! The American Revolution “Yorktown Is Won!” mock newspaper article to experience first-hand the excitement and uncertainty of the American Revolution as it happened.  Photo: Library of Congress
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October 19, 1781: British Army Surrenders at the Battle of Yorktown

On this day in 1781, the joint forces of the American Continental and French troops defeated the British at the Battle of Yorktown in Yorktown, Virginia. 

The surrender of the British Army by Lieutenant General Lord Cornwallis marked a key victory for the Continental Army, led by General George Washington. 

The Battle of Yorktown was the last major land battle of the American Revolutionary War in within the American colonies. Peace negotiations began in 1782, and the Treaty of Paris, which recognized the United States as a free and independent nation, was signed the following year.

Check out this Liberty! The American Revolution “Yorktown Is Won!” mock newspaper article to experience first-hand the excitement and uncertainty of the American Revolution as it happened. 

Photo: Library of Congress

Source: to.pbs.org

September 24, 1789: The Supreme Court Established On this day in 1789, the Judiciary Act of 1789 was passed by Congress and signed by President George Washington. This act established the Supreme Court of the United States as a tribunal of six justices nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate. In Article 3 of the United States Constitution, the Supreme Court is granted ultimate jurisdiction over all laws. Take a look at The Supreme Court timeline that details Supreme Court developments throughout American history.
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September 24, 1789: The Supreme Court Established

On this day in 1789, the Judiciary Act of 1789 was passed by Congress and signed by President George Washington. This act established the Supreme Court of the United States as a tribunal of six justices nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate.

In Article 3 of the United States Constitution, the Supreme Court is granted ultimate jurisdiction over all laws.

Take a look at The Supreme Court timeline that details Supreme Court developments throughout American history.

Source: to.pbs.org

September 18, 1793 George Washington Lays Cornerstone to the U.S. Capitol Building On this day in 1793, George Washington laid the cornerstone to the United States Capitol building. The Capitol houses the Legislative Branch of the American government, which includes the Senate and the House of Representatives.  The building took nearly a century to complete due to multiple setbacks, including changes in architects, a fire set by the British and its use as a hospital and barracks during the Civil War by Union troops. Benjamin Latrobe, who lived from 1764 to 1820, is known today mostly for his work on the central portions of the United States Capitol building. His work ultimately defined the first uniquely “American” architecture.Watch the documentary Benjamin Latrobe: America’s First Architect, which chronicles the life and work of the  early American architect. Also check out some fun facts and interesting history about the Capitol in this Wonders of the World building biography. Image: 1860 Photograph of Capitol with unfinished dome (National Archives).
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September 18, 1793

George Washington Lays Cornerstone to the U.S. Capitol Building

On this day in 1793, George Washington laid the cornerstone to the United States Capitol building. The Capitol houses the Legislative Branch of the American government, which includes the Senate and the House of Representatives. 

The building took nearly a century to complete due to multiple setbacks, including changes in architects, a fire set by the British and its use as a hospital and barracks during the Civil War by Union troops.

Benjamin Latrobe, who lived from 1764 to 1820, is known today mostly for his work on the central portions of the United States Capitol building. His work ultimately defined the first uniquely “American” architecture.

Watch the documentary Benjamin Latrobe: America’s First Architect, which chronicles the life and work of the  early American architect.

Also check out some fun facts and interesting history about the Capitol in this Wonders of the World building biography.

Image: 1860 Photograph of Capitol with unfinished dome (National Archives).

Source: to.pbs.org

June 15, 1775: George Washington Made Commander in Chief of the Continental Army On this day in 1775, George Washington was appointed Commander in Chief of the Continental Army. John Hancock had expected to be nominated but was disappointed when his fellow Massachusetts delegate, John Adams, suggested George Washington instead as a commander around whom all the colonies might unite. The forces from several colonies that were gathered in Cambridge and Boston become the founding core of that army. Explore our timeline of Washington’s early military career. Image: Library of Congress
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June 15, 1775: George Washington Made Commander in Chief of the Continental Army

On this day in 1775, George Washington was appointed Commander in Chief of the Continental Army.

John Hancock had expected to be nominated but was disappointed when his fellow Massachusetts delegate, John Adams, suggested George Washington instead as a commander around whom all the colonies might unite.

The forces from several colonies that were gathered in Cambridge and Boston become the founding core of that army.

Explore our timeline of Washington’s early military career.

Image: Library of Congress

Source: to.pbs.org

FEBRUARY 22, 1732: GEORGE WASHINGTON IS BORN 280 years ago today, George Washington, commander-in-chief in the Revolutionary War and the first president of the United States, was born. Explore a timeline of George Washington’s life, broken out into four parts: his personal life, his early military career, the Revolutionary War, and the presidency.
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FEBRUARY 22, 1732: GEORGE WASHINGTON IS BORN

280 years ago today, George Washington, commander-in-chief in the Revolutionary War and the first president of the United States, was born.

Explore a timeline of George Washington’s life, broken out into four parts: his personal life, his early military career, the Revolutionary War, and the presidency.

Source: pbs.org

DECEMBER 14: GEORGE WASHINGTON DIES (1799)

On this day in 1799, at age 67, George Washington died in his home at Mount Vernon, Virginia.

Overlooking the Potomac River, George Washington’s estate was restored completely a few years ago. At almost 500 acres, this historic home is located 16 miles south of Washington D.C and open 365 days a year.

This WETA clip shows how with the use of forensics, Mount Vernon gives visitors a more accurate interactive look at the first president.

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