George Washington's Birthday
Under the old Julian calendar in use at the time, George Washington was born on February 11, 1731. But when the nation converted to the current Gregorian calendar, I'm told that this converted to February 22, 1732, and hence we mark today as Washington's 281st birthday.
Washington is generally considered to be one of the top three Presidents of the United States, but I defy anyone to read a biography of the man (Ron Chernow's 2010 tome is one of the best) and not put him in the number one position. It was said of the man at his funeral that he was "first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen." Consider all that he had to accomplish, against overwhelming odds, and how beloved he was throughout, and he belongs at the top of the list of great presidents.
Look at his resume: the first among the Founding Fathers of the United States, commander-in-chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, he presided over the convention that drafted the Constitution, first President, and the only one every elected unanimously (as well as the only one without a party!) Washington was elected President as the unanimous choice of the 69 electors in 1788, and he served two terms in office. He oversaw the creation of a strong, well-financed national government that maintained neutrality in the wars raging in Europe, suppressed rebellion, and kept the fragile union together. His leadership style established many precedents of government that have been used since, such as using a cabinet system and delivering an inaugural address (and a farewell address).The peaceful transition from his presidency to the presidency of John Adams established a tradition that continues into the 21st century. The man is known as the "father of his country".
Washington was born in Colonial Virginia. His wealthy planter family owned tobacco plantations and slaves. After both his father and older brother died when he was young, Washington became mentored by the powerful William Fairfax, who promoted his career as a surveyor and soldier. He quickly became a senior officer in the colonial forces during the first stages of the French and Indian War. Chosen by the Second Continental Congress in 1775 to be commander-in-chief of the Continental Army in the American Revolution, Washington managed to force the British out of Boston in 1776, but was defeated and almost captured later that year when he lost New York City. After crossing the Delaware River in the dead of winter, he defeated the British in two battles, retook New Jersey and restored momentum to the Patriot cause. Because of his strategy, Revolutionary forces captured two major British armies at Saratoga in 1777 and Yorktown in 1781.
Historians laud Washington for his selection and supervision of his generals, encouragement of morale and ability to hold together the army, coordination with the state governors and state militia units, relations with Congress and attention to supplies, logistics, and training. In battle, Washington repeatedly faced British generals with larger armies. After victory had been achieved in 1783, Washington resigned as Commander-in-chief rather than seize power, proving his opposition to dictatorship and his commitment to American republicanism.
Dissatisfied with the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, in 1787 Washington presided over the Constitutional Convention that drafted the United States Constitution. Elected unanimously as the first President of the United States in 1789, he attempted to bring rival factions together to unify the nation. He supported Alexander Hamilton's programs to pay off all state and national debt, to implement an effective tax system and to create a national bank (despite opposition from Thomas Jefferson). Washington proclaimed the United States neutral in the wars raging in Europe after 1793. He avoided war with Great Britain and guaranteed a decade of peace and profitable trade by securing the Jay Treaty in 1795, despite intense opposition from the Jeffersonians. Washington's "Farewell Address" was an influential message on republican virtue and a warning against partisanship, sectionalism, and involvement in foreign wars. He retired from the presidency in 1797 and returned to his home, Mount Vernon, and his domestic life where he managed a variety of enterprises. He freed all his slaves by his final will.
Washington had a vision of a great and powerful nation that would be built on republican lines using federal power. He sought to use the national government to preserve liberty, improve infrastructure, open the western lands, promote commerce, found a permanent capital, reduce regional tensions and promote a spirit of American nationalism.
Washington died on December 14, 1799. The Federalists made him the symbol of their party but for many years, while the Jeffersonians continued to distrust his influence and delayed building the Washington Monument. As the leader of the first successful revolution against a colonial empire in world history, Washington became an international icon for liberation and nationalism, especially in France and Latin America. If anyone deserves a holiday, George Washington has certainly earned that honor.
Washington is generally considered to be one of the top three Presidents of the United States, but I defy anyone to read a biography of the man (Ron Chernow's 2010 tome is one of the best) and not put him in the number one position. It was said of the man at his funeral that he was "first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen." Consider all that he had to accomplish, against overwhelming odds, and how beloved he was throughout, and he belongs at the top of the list of great presidents.
Look at his resume: the first among the Founding Fathers of the United States, commander-in-chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, he presided over the convention that drafted the Constitution, first President, and the only one every elected unanimously (as well as the only one without a party!) Washington was elected President as the unanimous choice of the 69 electors in 1788, and he served two terms in office. He oversaw the creation of a strong, well-financed national government that maintained neutrality in the wars raging in Europe, suppressed rebellion, and kept the fragile union together. His leadership style established many precedents of government that have been used since, such as using a cabinet system and delivering an inaugural address (and a farewell address).The peaceful transition from his presidency to the presidency of John Adams established a tradition that continues into the 21st century. The man is known as the "father of his country".
Washington was born in Colonial Virginia. His wealthy planter family owned tobacco plantations and slaves. After both his father and older brother died when he was young, Washington became mentored by the powerful William Fairfax, who promoted his career as a surveyor and soldier. He quickly became a senior officer in the colonial forces during the first stages of the French and Indian War. Chosen by the Second Continental Congress in 1775 to be commander-in-chief of the Continental Army in the American Revolution, Washington managed to force the British out of Boston in 1776, but was defeated and almost captured later that year when he lost New York City. After crossing the Delaware River in the dead of winter, he defeated the British in two battles, retook New Jersey and restored momentum to the Patriot cause. Because of his strategy, Revolutionary forces captured two major British armies at Saratoga in 1777 and Yorktown in 1781.
Historians laud Washington for his selection and supervision of his generals, encouragement of morale and ability to hold together the army, coordination with the state governors and state militia units, relations with Congress and attention to supplies, logistics, and training. In battle, Washington repeatedly faced British generals with larger armies. After victory had been achieved in 1783, Washington resigned as Commander-in-chief rather than seize power, proving his opposition to dictatorship and his commitment to American republicanism.
Dissatisfied with the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, in 1787 Washington presided over the Constitutional Convention that drafted the United States Constitution. Elected unanimously as the first President of the United States in 1789, he attempted to bring rival factions together to unify the nation. He supported Alexander Hamilton's programs to pay off all state and national debt, to implement an effective tax system and to create a national bank (despite opposition from Thomas Jefferson). Washington proclaimed the United States neutral in the wars raging in Europe after 1793. He avoided war with Great Britain and guaranteed a decade of peace and profitable trade by securing the Jay Treaty in 1795, despite intense opposition from the Jeffersonians. Washington's "Farewell Address" was an influential message on republican virtue and a warning against partisanship, sectionalism, and involvement in foreign wars. He retired from the presidency in 1797 and returned to his home, Mount Vernon, and his domestic life where he managed a variety of enterprises. He freed all his slaves by his final will.
Washington had a vision of a great and powerful nation that would be built on republican lines using federal power. He sought to use the national government to preserve liberty, improve infrastructure, open the western lands, promote commerce, found a permanent capital, reduce regional tensions and promote a spirit of American nationalism.
Washington died on December 14, 1799. The Federalists made him the symbol of their party but for many years, while the Jeffersonians continued to distrust his influence and delayed building the Washington Monument. As the leader of the first successful revolution against a colonial empire in world history, Washington became an international icon for liberation and nationalism, especially in France and Latin America. If anyone deserves a holiday, George Washington has certainly earned that honor.