ran 3.5 miles
On this day in history, in 1799, George Washington, esteemed by fellow soldier and Virginian Henry Lee as “First in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his countrymen” died at his estate in Mount Vernon, Virginia.
Washington was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia. Rising to eminence by his own means, his first job at age seventeen was as a surveyor in the Shenandoah Valley. In 1752, he joined the British army and served as a lieutenant in the French and Indian War. Once the war ended, Washington left the army and returned to his newly inherited estate, upon the death of his older brother, in Mount Vernon. He served in the colonial House of Burgesses and, like many of his peers, grew more and more frustrated with colonial rule by the British government. It was not long before he joined his co-revolutionaries in the Continental Congress.
In 1775, the Continental Congress unanimously chose Washington to command the new Continental Army. His successes in Trenton, Princeton and Yorktown were necessary victories for the emerging nation. In 1789, due to the leadership he displayed during the war, Washington was elected the first American president under the new United States Constitution.
After facing competing factions within his own administration and attempting to set unwritten rules of conduct for future presidents, leading by example, he chose to resign in 1797 after two terms. Washington did not want to appear monarchical and exhibited a precedent of transferring power peacefully and under a set limit of terms.
Washington contracted a severe respiratory infection on December 13 and died the next day. His last words were “Tis well”. The first president of the United States was eulogized by friends and political foes, alike, both at home and abroad. Even King George III of England referred to Washington as the “Greatest character of the age”. In his will, Washington referred to himself humbly as “George Washington, of Mount Vernon, a citizen of the United States”.
1,822.6 miles to go.
On this day in history, in 1799, George Washington, esteemed by fellow soldier and Virginian Henry Lee as “First in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his countrymen” died at his estate in Mount Vernon, Virginia.
Washington was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia. Rising to eminence by his own means, his first job at age seventeen was as a surveyor in the Shenandoah Valley. In 1752, he joined the British army and served as a lieutenant in the French and Indian War. Once the war ended, Washington left the army and returned to his newly inherited estate, upon the death of his older brother, in Mount Vernon. He served in the colonial House of Burgesses and, like many of his peers, grew more and more frustrated with colonial rule by the British government. It was not long before he joined his co-revolutionaries in the Continental Congress.
In 1775, the Continental Congress unanimously chose Washington to command the new Continental Army. His successes in Trenton, Princeton and Yorktown were necessary victories for the emerging nation. In 1789, due to the leadership he displayed during the war, Washington was elected the first American president under the new United States Constitution.
After facing competing factions within his own administration and attempting to set unwritten rules of conduct for future presidents, leading by example, he chose to resign in 1797 after two terms. Washington did not want to appear monarchical and exhibited a precedent of transferring power peacefully and under a set limit of terms.
Washington contracted a severe respiratory infection on December 13 and died the next day. His last words were “Tis well”. The first president of the United States was eulogized by friends and political foes, alike, both at home and abroad. Even King George III of England referred to Washington as the “Greatest character of the age”. In his will, Washington referred to himself humbly as “George Washington, of Mount Vernon, a citizen of the United States”.
1,822.6 miles to go.
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