The Peabody Award‑winning series profiling the men who have served as chief executive of the United States.

George WashingtonView Program

1st President - George Washington
Born: February 22, 1732
Died: December 14, 1799

  • Personal
  • First Lady: Martha Washington
  • Children: 2
  • Education Level: No College
  • Profession: Military, Surveyor, Planter
  • Military Service: General
  • Public Service
  • Dates of Presidency: April 30, 1789 - March 3, 1797
  • # of Terms: 2
  • Vice President: John Adams
  • Party: None
  • Colonial Government: House of Burgesses (1758-1774), Continental Congress (1774-1775)
  • Other Offices: President of Constitutional Convention
  • Did You Know?
  • George Washington was the only president to be elected unanimously.
  • He was the only president inaugurated in two cities: New York and Philadelphia.
  • He never lived in Washington, DC, although he was interested in the construction of the city and purchased property there.
  • He was an active and able mediator between his cabinet members Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson.
  • Did You Know?
  • George Washington was the only president to be elected unanimously.
  • He was the only president inaugurated in two cities: New York and Philadelphia.
  • He never lived in Washington, DC, although he was interested in the construction of the city and purchased property there.
  • He was an active and able mediator between his cabinet members Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson.
  • In 1794, based largely on Alexander Hamilton's advice, Washington summoned the U.S. militia to suppress the Whiskey Insurrection which erupted after Congress imposed taxes on distillers. Concialitory resolutions were agreed to and force was not employed.
  • After her husband's death, Martha Washington burned all letters to retain privacy.
  • At the time Washington was elected, there were 7 states and the population was almost 4 million.
  • "As the sword was the last resort for the preservation of our liberties, so it ought to be the first to be laid aside when those liberties are firmly established."
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About This Series

The Peabody Award-winning series profiles the men who have served as chief executive of the United States. This website, created as a companion to C-SPAN's 20th anniversary television series, provides an in-depth look at each of the presidents, their lives, families and administrations.