Washington, George

Cultural  

1. The first president of the United States, and the commanding general of the victorious American army in the Revolutionary War. The best known of the Founding Fathers, Washington is called the father of his country. He was born in 1732 in Virginia and showed early talent as a surveyor and farmer. He served as an army officer in the French and Indian War, as a member of the Virginia legislature, and as a delegate to the Continental Congress. In the summer of 1775, a few weeks after the outbreak of the Revolutionary War, he took command of the American army. He and his men won early victories over the British in New Jersey at Trenton and Princeton, despite a great lack of training and supplies. Washington is particularly remembered for keeping up morale during the hardships of winter encampment at Valley Forge. His victory at the Battle of Yorktown ended the fighting. Washington presided at the Constitutional Convention of 1787, and in 1789 he was unanimously elected the first president under the new Constitution. As president, he pursued a careful foreign policy, endorsed the financial program of Alexander Hamilton, and put down the Whisky Rebellion. Refusing to seek a third term as president, he retired from the office in 1797, issuing a Farewell Address that advised against party politics at home and against permanent alliances abroad. After he died in 1799, he was praised by Congress as “first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen.”

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The qualities of Washington that have stood out over the centuries are his courage, his impartiality, and his good judgment.

The painting of Washington Crossing the Delaware, which shows him leading his army toward a surprise attack on the British, is well known. His portrait is on the one-dollar bill, and his profile appears on the twenty-five-cent piece.

Washington is the subject of many legends, which often celebrate his honesty (such as the story of Washington and the cherry tree) or his strength (such as the tale that he threw a rock, or a silver dollar, across the Rappahannock River).

The capital of the United States is named after George Washington, as is a northwestern state. Over thirty states have a Washington County, and his name has been given to numerous mountains, lakes, streets, and buildings.

Example Sentences

“I was like, Washington, George Washington, I know they powdered their faces, so I wanted to do something like that.”

From Washington Post

Augustine Washington, George Washington’s father, played a central role in the early development of the parish.

From Washington Post

During the afternoon, we explored the town founded by Charles Washington, George Washington’s brother.

From Washington Post

Formed in 1977 through the merger of three schools — including one that traced its origins to 1851 — UDC has sometimes struggled to raise its profile in a regional market that includes American, Catholic, Georgetown, George Washington, George Mason, Howard and Trinity Washington universities, as well as the University of Maryland.

From Washington Post

A cousin from Virginia, Delvis Gonzalez, told NBC Washington, “George was a very humble young man. He was a man of service. He always wanted to serve the country, and at least we have the comfort that he passed doing what he liked to do, which was defending his country. . . . He was a man of his family, and that’s how we’re going to remember him.”

From Washington Post