George Washington (1732 – 1799) was a Founding Father, military leader, and the first U.S. president (1789 – 1797). He led the Continental Army to victory in the American Revolutionary War, shaping the nation’s independence. Known as the "Father of His Country", he helped draft the U.S. Constitution and set lasting presidential precedents.
Born in Virginia, he worked as a surveyor before becoming a military officer. He fought in the French and Indian War, gaining leadership experience. In 1775, he was named Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, leading his troops through early defeats but securing key victories at Trenton, Princeton, and Yorktown (1781), which ended the war.
Unanimously elected first U.S. president, Washington built a strong national government, avoided European conflicts, and established the two-term tradition. His Farewell Address (1796) warned against political factions and foreign entanglements. Though he owned slaves, he freed them in his will, an unusual step for his time.
He retired to Mount Vernon, where he died in 1799. His leadership shaped American democracy, and he remains one of the most revered presidents in U.S. history.