George Washington from ThinkQuest
George Washington was born on February 11, 1732 in Westmoreland County, Virginia. He was the eldest son of Augustine Washington and Mary Ball Washington.
Washington first fought in the French and Indian War as a messenger and scout. He later was raised to a Lieutenant Colonel and had an unsuccessful early military career.
Washington married Martha Dandridge Custis on January 6, 1759. She had two children from her previous marriage, who died at a young age. At the death of her son Jack, Washington adopted his two children Eleanor Parke Custis and George Washington Custis. About the same time, George inherited Mount Vernon after his half-brother Lawrence's death. He quickly became one of the wealthiest men in Virginia.
Washington served in the House of Burgesses in 1758 for 17 years then became Justice of the Peace for Fairfax County. He was elected as a Virginia delegate for both the first and second Continental Congress. Later he was unanimously elected as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army. Easily defeat by Britain's General Howe throughout New York and New Jersey, Washington and his army retreated into Pennsylvania. On December 25, 1776, he crossed the Delaware River and captured Trenton, then on January 3 won at Princeton. Washington lost to Howe at Brandywine, then again at Germantown. After Howe took Philadelphia, Washington spent the winter at Valley Forge. George Washington had one last victory at Yorktown before the war ended.
After the establishment of Congress, Washington was elected as the first President of the United States. He served for two terms and declined a third. This started a Presidential trend of only serving two terms, which was broken the 32nd President, Franklin D. Roosevelt. It is now forbidden for any President to serve more than two terms.
George Washington retired to Mount Vernon, but not before he gave his famous Farewell Address in which he gave birth to American isolationism and warned against bipartisan politics. He later lived peacefully with his children and wife until his death on December 14, 1799.
