George Washington

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GEORGE WASHINGTON

George Washington lived an exciting life in exciting times. As a boy, he explored the wilderness. When he grew older, he helped the British fight the French and Indians. As a general, he suffered hardships with his troops in the cold winters at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, and Morristown, New Jersey. He lost many battles, but led the American army to final victory at Yorktown, Virginia. After he became President, he successfully solved many problems in turning the plans of the Constitution into a working government.

Washington was an imposing man in his day, standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 175 pounds. Chronic problems with his teeth left him with stern-looking mouth that rarely smiled. He set his own strict rules of conduct, but also enjoyed having a good time. He laughed at jokes, though he seldom told any.

Chronology of His Life and Career

	February 22, 1732	Born on Pope's Creek Farm in Westmoreland County, Virginia.
	ca. 1735	Moved with his family to what is now Mount Vernon.
	1738	Moved with his family to Ferry Farm.
	1748	Helped survey lands in western Virginia owned by Lord Fairfax.
	July 20, 1749	Became official surveyor for Culpeper County, Virginia.
	1751	Went to Barbados Island, British West Indies.
	November 6, 1752	Commissioned a Major and put in charge of training militia in southern Virginia.
	December 1753	Carried British ultimatum to French in the Ohio River Valley.
	March 15, 1754	Promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel.
	June 5, 1754	Promoted to Colonel.
	July 3-4, 1754	Surrendered Fort Necessity in the French and Indian War.
	July 9, 1755	With General Edward Braddock when ambushed by French and Indians at the Battle of the Monongahela.
	August 14, 1755	Appointed Colonel of the Virginia and Commander-in-Chief of the Virginia forces protecting the frontier.
	July 24, 1758	Elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses from Frederick County.
	December 1758	Resigned his commission as Colonel and Commander-in-Chief.
	January 6, 1759	Married Martha Dandridge Custis.
	1759-1774	Served in the Virginia Legislature.
	1761	Inherited Mount Vernon.
	1774	Elected delegate to the First Continental Congress.
	1775	Elected delegate to the Second Continental Congress.
	June 15, 1775	Elected Commander in Chief of the Continental Army.
	October 19, 1781	Led his army to victory at Yorktown.
	May 25, 1787	Elected President of the Constitutional Convention.
	February 4, 1789	Elected President of the United States.
	December 5, 1792	Re-elected President of the United States.
	September 19, 1796	Published his Farewell Address.
	July 4, 1798	Commissioned Lieutenant General and Commander in Chief of the United States Army.
	December 14, 1799	Died at Mount Vernon.

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SKC Films Library >> George Washington's Administration

This page was last updated on January 06, 2019.