George Washington (February 22, 1732 – December 14, 1799) was a Founding Father and the first President of the United States. Born in colonial Virginia, he rose to prominence as a military leader and statesman whose decisions shaped the foundations of American government.
Washington commanded the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, leading forces against the British at a time when independence was far from guaranteed. On July 4, 1776 — the day the Declaration of Independence was signed — he was stationed in New York with his troops, bracing for a British assault. His perseverance through the war cemented his reputation as a national hero. He was inaugurated as the first President of the United States in January 1789, more than twelve years after the Declaration of Independence.
Washington served two terms as president, during which he established many of the norms and precedents that continue to define the office. He is commonly referred to as the "Father of His Country." His legacy is reflected across American life: the nation's capital, Washington, D.C., bears his name, as do the George Washington University, the George Washington Bridge spanning the Hudson River between New York and New Jersey, and countless other institutions and landmarks.
