George Washington was born on February 22nd, 1732, in Virginia. His parents were Augustine and Mary Washington. George grew up on a plantation in Virginia. He had seven brothers and sisters.
Young George’s father taught him at home. He was a good student. When he was sixteen, he started to work as a land surveyor, a person who measures land. When he was in his twenties, he joined the army. He was a commander during the American Revolution.
After the Revolution, he was elected as the first President of the United States. As the first president, he was responsible for a lot of decisions about how presidents should act and what they should do.
George Washington is sometimes called the “Father of His Country.” His birthday is celebrated in February. The Washington Monument was built to honor him, and his face is carved in Mount Rushmore. Washington, D.C. and Washington state are named after him. His picture is on the dollar bill and the quarter.
George Washington was the military leader of the American Revolution and the first president of the United States of America. He took his oath of office as the President of the United States on April 30th, 1789.
The birthday of George Washington has been a legal holiday since 1885. It was originally celebrated each February 22nd. In 1968, legislation (HR 15951) was enacted that affected several federal holidays. One of these was Washington's Birthday, the observation of which was shifted to the third Monday in February each year whether or not it fell on the 22nd. This act was designed to simplify the yearly calendar of holidays.
In 1971 President Richard Nixon proclaimed the third Monday of February to be a federal holiday. Although popularly known as Presidents’ Day, according to federal law it is the official observance of Washington's Birthday. Because a number of states (but not the federal government) also officially celebrate the February 12th birthday of Abraham Lincoln, many Americans have come to believe -- incorrectly -- that the third Monday of February is a consolidated “Presidents’ Day” honoring both Washington and Lincoln, and indeed all U.S. presidents.
In 1976, Congress posthumously promoted Washington to the rank of six-star general of the armies, assuring that he would continue to outrank all other members of the military, now and in the future.
