George Washington was the first President of the United States, under the United States Constitution. He is the only President who was unanimously elected to the office of the President. In fact, he is the only President who belonged to no political party.
Time in Office:
April 30, 1789, to March 3, 1797 -- Washington's Inauguration
Events while in Office:
1789
The Judiciary Act specified the number of Federal courts and judges.
1790
Supreme Court met for the first time with John Jay as the Chief Justice.
1791
Federal capital was established in swamplands on the Potomac.
A national banking system was established by the Bank Act.
The United States Bill of Rights takes effect.
1792
Post Office was established by Congress as a separate entity.
New York Stock Exchange organized.
Coins are minted by the government as enacted by the Coinage Act.
1793
War breaks out between Britain and France. On April 22, the U.S. declares neutrality.
February 25, 1793 - President Geoge Washington holds his first Cabinet meeting.
1794
Whiskey Rebellion over excise tax in western Pennsylvania. Federal troops called to suppress the armed rebellion.
1795
The Jay Treaty was ratified. British troops were required to withdraw from the U.S.
Pinckney's Treaty (Article IV) with Spain opened navigation on the Mississippi River.
Washington posed for Stuart's portrait, which is now on the one-dollar bill.
1796
Washington delivered his Farewell Address.
Presidential Facts:
- It can be argued that Washington aligned himself with members of the "Federalist Party", but he never ran for the presidency for any political party. Moreover, his farewell address warned of the dangers of political parties.
- Believing that shaking hands was beneath a president, Washington bowed to his visitors.
- Washington has the distinction of being the only president to be elected unanimously by the electoral college.
- Washington had one remaining tooth at the time of his inauguration. During his lifetime he wore dentures made of human (some his own), cow, or hippopotamus teeth, ivory, or lead, but he never wore wooden teeth.
- Many places are named after Washington including the nation's capital, the state, 31 counties and 17 communities.
- The six white horses in Washington's stables had their teeth brushed every morning on Washington's orders.
- The nation's capital was located in Philadelphia during Washington's administration making him the only president who didn't live in Washington, D.C. during his presidency.
Source: POTUS
Articles About This President:
- American Founders: George Washington
- George Washington
- George Washington: First Farmer
- The Men Behind the American Revolution: George Washington
- George Washington, the Boy Surveyor, and Young Soldier
- Washington's Presidency
Presidential Documents:
- Inaugural Addresses of George Washington
- George Washington's Annual Messages to Congress
- Proclamation of Neutrality by George Washington (1791)
Internet Resources:
- George Washington Biography on the White House website
- George Washington Bio and Information on the Mount Vernon website
- Washington's Papers at the Library of Congress.
- Washington's Papers on the Founders Online website.
- Mount Vernon
- Ten Facts About Washington's Presidency on the Mount Vernon website.
- Wahington's First 100 Days in Office on the Mount Vernon website.
- The First Cabinet - This article tells us about the President's Cabinet.