First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen

1. Words from a eulogy for George Washington adopted by Congress immediately after Washington's death. The eulogy was written by Henry Lee, a soldier and political leader from Washington's home state of Virginia.

Example Sentences

In 1843, Congress had the statue moved outside to the Capitol’s East Plaza and placed on a granite pedestal engraved with the words, “First in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his countrymen.”

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Henry Lee as “first in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his countrymen.”

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He was a neighbor and friend of George Washington and eulogized the first president with his now-famous remark that he was “first in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his countrymen.”

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They were even sort-of related: Lee was the son of Washington's most famous eulogist, Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee, who fought during the American Revolution and famously characterized Washington as "First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen."

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He was, as he was eulogized, “first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen.”

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