George Washington

When Washington was born in 1732 in Virginia, the United States as we know it didn't even exist. There were colonies, or subject states, in America that belonged to Britain. Other areas were claimed by France and Spain or were unexplored.

Not a lot is known about Washington's childhood. However, even at a young age, Washington was no stranger to responsibility. When he was 11 years old, his father died and Washington had to manage one of the family's farms. It was a big responsibility for such a young boy, but it helped prepare him for an even bigger job in the future.

When Washington was 16, he became a surveyor. A surveyor is a person who measures and maps land. Washington explored the American frontier, not knowing that he would someday have a city named after him near the areas that he surveyed.

At 21, Washington became a soldier for the Virginia army that fought for Britain. His leadership and bravery impressed the British. The British promoted him to commander of Virginia's army when he was only 23 years old. Washington fought bravely in the French and Indian War and word of his skills spread throughout the American colonies.

Even though Britain won the French and Indian War, it cost a lot of money and left Britain in debt. Britain made the colonies pay high taxes to help cover this debt. This made the American colonists so angry that they dumped tea from British ships into Boston Harbor in protest. This event is called the Boston Tea Party.

Britain punished the colonies because of the Boston Tea Party. Britain closed Boston Harbor and sent soldiers to Boston. The American colonists knew that something had to be done.

In 1774, colonists, including Washington, met at what is known as the First Continental Congress. The Congress decided not to buy any thing from Britain and to form an army. The colonists declared war on Britain a short time later.

In 1775, the colonists met again at the Second Continental Congress and decided to make Washington the general and commander of the Continental Army. Washington and his army made the British troops leave Boston.

The Second Continental Congress met again in 1776 and approved the Declaration of Independence on July 4. The colonists explained in this document the reasons why they should be separate from Britain and govern themselves. A new nation was born and the colonists were determined to fight for it.

Washington, with the help of the French, led the American fight for independence, which is called the Revolutionary War. Washington finally achieved victory over the British in 1781. The Continental Army, though not as polished and well trained as the British, had been dedicated enough to overcome their enemies.

After the war was over and the peace treaty with the British was signed, Washington returned to his farm and home in Virginia. His home was named Mount Vernon. Mount Vernon had a large farm that had many crops and animals. Washington was ready to retire and live out the rest of his life there, but his nation had other plans for him.

In 1787, representatives from the now-independent colonies met in Philadelphia for the Constitutional Convention. Washington was there to represent Virginia and was elected president of this important convention. At this meeting, the representatives created the U.S. Constitution, which set up the government of the United States. The Constitution that they wrote is still the supreme law of the United States today.

The Constitution of the United States called for a congress with two houses, a supreme court and a president. The Constitution unified the colonies that were now called states. The unified country was called the United States.

The new government still needed someone who could be a trustworthy leader to be its president. Washington was unanimously elected as the first president of the United States in 1789. He had a big job to do that no one had ever done before, but he was a good leader and did his best to lead the new nation.

President Washington kept his country out of war and signed a treaty that opened up trade between Britain and the United States. He also signed a treaty with Spain that opened the Mississippi River to U.S. trade ships. Washington was a good president and was re-elected to a second term.

After his second term as president, Washington retired to Mount Vernon again. The next year, he was called again to raise a new army because France was causing trouble with U.S. ships. War didn't come and Washington returned home for good.

George Washington, the first president of the United States, died at home at Mount Vernon in 1799. The people of the United States and the world were sad. Washington had devoted most of his life to his country and he would be missed.