George Washington Bicentennial

Blue and white illustration of George Washington's head with white text on a blue background

Known as one of the U.S. Founding Fathers, George Washington became the first President of the United States in 1789, defeating John Adams who soon became his Vice President. Born February 22, 1732 to an affluent tobacco farming family in Virginia, Washington began his political career by joining the armed forces as a youth. Later on in his military career, he served in some of the U.S.' most notable wars such as the French and Indian War and American Revolutionary War. His military background is what established him as a sound leader which gained him reelection in 1793. However, after the completion of his second term, Washington declined to run again as president, and set a provision that preceding presidents cannot serve more than two terms.