Considered by many historians to be the Father of America, George Washington was the first ever president of the United States. His dedication as a president and later as a senior officer in the army has given him the title of a national hero.

There is so much that can be learned from George Washington, but what jumps out to us was is focus on doing what was right. He turned down the opportunity to serve additional terms as President because he felt it was right. He had it in his will to release all of his slaves because he felt it was right. George Washington introduced the cabinet system to help give him new perspective. The point here being that he was not a man of greed. We are in an age when greed takes over. We want more power and more money without ever having a limit. We just want more.Keep a focus on doing the right thing and keep yourself in check when it comes to greed. This sounds very simple, but is the foundation of leadership. Honor those you lead by doing the right thing and not being selfish and your leadership will flourish.

The Early Life of George Washington

George Washington was born on February in 1732, to Augustine Washington and Mary Ball Washington, Augustine’s second wife. The Washington family was of a middle rank among society, their ancestors having roots in Sulgrave, England before immigration. His childhood was spent mostly in Stafford County, where his older half-brother Lawrence inherited a plantation which would later be named Mount Vernon.

He married Martha Dandridge Custis in 1759, a wealthy widow with two children from her previous marriage. George’s marriage to Martha had direct influence on his property and social status, and he quickly became one of the wealthiest men in Virginia.

George Washington as President

As one of the Founding Fathers of America, George Washington was present over the creation of the Constitution. His election in 1788 was a unanimous vote, and he went on to serve two terms in office. His ability to create a strong neutral government was what gained him the popularity of the people. This president put down rebellions and took on a leadership style that has carried on ever since. Some of the things he has influenced in as president include:

• Using a cabinet system to help the president in the running of the country.
• Having an inauguration, held by a chief justice.
• Running for only two terms. Washington was reluctant to run for the second, and so refused to have a third, setting the policy of having only two terms per president.

Interesting Facts About Washington

• He had the shortest inauguration speech in history – only just passing 130 words in total.
• He was the first, last and only president to free all the slaves he owned in his will. However, it was also written that the slaves will be freed after the death of his wife and then only if she wished it. His wife died and no slave was freed.
• He is also the only president to ever receive one hundred percent of electoral votes.
• Though considered a hero, Washington never attended college, currently the only president to never do so.
• He was born during the time when the colonies still used the Julian calendar. His birthday then was February 22. After switching to the Gregorian calendar, his birthday was moved to February 11, though George Washington always preferred celebrating his birthday on the 22nd.
• This hero was famous for having false wooden teeth. The truth is that they were not actually made of wood. Studies have shown that they were made out of carved animal bones and human teeth that he bought from some of his slaves.

The Death of a Hero

George Washington died on December 14, 1799, at the age of 67. The death of this hero was mourned by people all over the world, and many in the United States alone wore black for months. In an effort to keep their privacy sacred, his wife burnt their correspondence. He was buried in Mount Vernon, a hero of the revolution and a man with one of the greatest legacies in American history.