George Washington
Discuss with your partner what each one of these mean:
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“Father of our country”
First President
Revolutionary War
Surveyor
Freedom
British
England
General
Colony
Independence
Rebel
Questions to discuss:
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2.
3.
4.
5.
What do you know about George Washington?
Do you think military leaders make good presidents? Why or Why not?
What do you know about the American Revolutionary War?
What might cause a revolution in a country?
Does the President of the United States play an important role in the world today? Why
or why not?
Quick Tips and Facts:
Birthday: February 22, 1732
Birthplace: Wakefield, Virginia (near Pople’s Creek, Virginia)
College or University: none
Religion: Episcopalian
Occupation or Profession: Planter, Surveyor, Military
Military Rank: General
Married: (January 6, 1759) Mrs. Martha Dandridge Custis
Children:
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2 stepchildren – John “Jackie” Parke Custis (1754-1781) and Martha “Patsy” Parke Custis (1756-1773)
2 stepgrandchildren – Eleanor “Nelly” Parke Custis and George Washington “Washy” Parke Custis
President number: First President of the U.S.
Political Party: None (Washington opposed the idea of political parties)
Runner Up: None
Vice President: John Adams
Age at inauguration: 57
Served: 1789-1797
Number of terms: 2
Other Offices or Commissions: President of Constitutional Convention, Lieutenant General and Commander in
Chief of the new United States Army
Died: December 14, 1799
Age at Death: 67
Place of burial: Mount Vernon, Virginia
Other Interesting Fact and Trivia:
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Washington was the only president to be elected unanimously.
Washington became known as “the father of his country.”
Washington was the only president inaugurated in 2 cities: New York and Philadelphia.
Washington was the only president who did not live in the White House. He was involved in the planning of
the Capitol.
Washington did his own bookkeeping and recorded every penny of expense or profit. His ledgers still exist
today.
There were 13 stars on the United States flag when Washington became president in 1789.
Five states were added to the Union during Washington’s presidency: North Carolina (1789), Rhode Island
(1790), Vermont (1791), Kentucky (1792), and Tennessee (1796).
By the time Washington became president, he had only one real tooth left. He had many sets of false
teeth.
George Washington
The first president of the United States, George Washington, was born in Pope’s Creek, Virginia, on February 22,
1732. As a child, he did not have much formal training, but when he was sixteen years old, he learned how to
survey land, which is a way of taking measurements and making maps. Later, he became the county surveyor.
George Washington was a major in the Virginia militia in the early 1750s. He made a historic 300-mile journey to
report to the colonial officials concerning the French presence in the Allegheny River Valley. In 1754, he fought
against three hundred French soldiers at Fort Duquesne. By this time, he had been promoted to colonel. A year
later, during a fierce battle, two horses were shot from underneath him, but he survived unhurt. This same year,
he was given the job of commanding all of the troops of Virginia.
He was married in January 6, 1759, to Martha Dandridge Custis. Though he and Martha never had any children of
their own, he did become a father to Jacky and Patsy, her children from a former marriage. Patsy later died of
epilepsy, to Washington’s grief.
As a result of the French and Indian War, England was given all of the land east of the Mississippi. Now the British
government wanted to tax the colonies. Men such as Patrick Henry and George Mason, along with Washington,
agreed that it was unfair for Britain to place a tax on the colonies when the colonies were not allowed power to
make decisions with the British government. In 1775, a group of men from the colonies fired the first shots of the
American Revolution while returning fire at British troops.
Later in the same year, the Second Continental Congress met and chose George Washington to be commander-inchief of the Continental Army. Washington accepted the position but refused payment for his services. He
requested only reimbursement for expenses.
Over the next seven years, Washington faithfully led his untrained but willing army in several battles against the
British troops. At first, the British and the upper hand with their fine weapons and training, but the perseverance
and conviction of the Continental soldiers finally began to pay off. In 1778, the Continental army was aided by the
French navy and the tide began to turn. On October 19, 1781, General Charles Cornwallis surrendered to
Washington and the Continental Army, ending the war. The treaty was signed two years later in 1783.
Washington returned to civilian life but was quickly drawn back into politics. As the delegate from Virginia, be
became involved in writing the constitution for the new country. After the Constitution had been ratified,
Washington was unanimously elected to be the president.
The capitol of the new nation temporarily moved from New York to Philadelphia. Washington was the one to
select a site along the Potomac River for a new capitol to be built. A French engineer, Pierre L’Enfant, was hired to
design the city.
In 1792, Washington was elected to a second term. During his second term, he deal with the Whisky Rebellion.
This was a revolt in Pennsylvania concerning taxes on exporting alcohol. He also was successful in implementing a
treaty concerning relations between the U.S. and Britain.
Although many wanted Washington to be president for a third term, he declined. He moved back to his beloved
Mt. Vernon. After only three years of retirement, he died at the age of 67 on December 14, 1799. He was buried
there in the family vault.
Sequencing Activity
Number the events from George Washington’s life in correct order.
1. He was elected first U.S. president.
2. He married Martha Dandridge Custis.
3. He was chosen to be commander-in-chief of the Continental Army.
4. He was born in Virginia.
5. During a battle, two horses he rode on were shot dead.
6. He learned to survey land.
7. He became a major in the militia.
8. He retired at Mt. Vernon.
9. He chose a site along the Potomac River for the capitol.
10.The Revolutionary War began.
1) 8
2) 5
3) 6
4) 1
5) 4
6) 2
7) 3
8) 10
9) 9
10) 7
George’s Teeth
Directions: Read the passage and answer the questions.
George Washington, our first President, had teeth problems. Ever since he was young,
George’s teeth hurt. They slowly fell out over the years, and dentists placed fake teeth in their
place. Finally, George lost all of his teeth and had to wear false teeth, or dentures. He had
two made. For many years, people thought that George Washington’s teeth were wooden.
But, in fact, they were made from hippopotamus ivory, and gold.
The teeth, although very expensive for that time, were not comfortable for George. The upper
and lower plates were connected by springs that pushed the plates against his mouth. George
had to close his jaws tight to keep the teeth in place. If he relaxed his jaw, his mouth would
pop open. If you look at paintings of the first President, he never looks happy. But he wasn’t
mad, he was trying to keep his teeth in.
George’s teeth bothered him until he died. The dentures had to be constantly refitted and
chewing and eating were very difficult. Today’s dentures are much more comfortable and
allow people to chew and eat with ease. But, it is still better to have your own teeth, so brush
well two times a day and floss!
Answer the questions.
1) Did George lose all of his teeth at once?
2) What were George’s dentures made from?
3) Were George’s teeth problems over when he got his dentures?
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4) Why did George rarely smile in his pictures?
5) How can you take care of your teeth?
.
President Washington
Directions: Find and circle the words about George Washington.
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