We Define Presidents: George Washington

President George Washington nicknamed Father of His Country was the first president of The United States of America. Born on December 22, 1732, George Washington lived happily till age 11 when his father died. Lucky for him his older brother, Lawrence, was there to take care of him. Lawrence made sure George was a gentleman and received a proper education. George later grew up to fight in the French and Indian War. He had a close scrape with death when his horse was shot out from under him. After the war, George was married to Martha Dandrige, and moved into Mt. Vernon, his father's home, after his brother Lawrence passed away. He and his friends began to feel upset with the treatment Britain was giving America and when the British didn't agree to the American terms they decided to go to war. George was appointed general of the colonial army in 1775 and led his army to victory in 1781. George was unanimously voted into office by the state representatives and was inaugurated at age 57. He served as president for 8 years. He died in 1799 because of a cold. George Washington played an important role in America's history as the first president of The United States of America.