Have you ever seen a picture of George Washington? He was born in Virginia on February 22, 1732, during a time called the colonial period. George Washington is famous for being the first president of the United States and is often called the “father of our country.” Let’s learn more about his amazing life!
When George was just 11 years old, his father passed away. He then went to live with his older brother, Lawrence, who took care of him. Lawrence taught George how to be a gentleman and made sure he went to school. There, George learned important subjects like math and reading. He also learned the value of hard work and how to make a difference in his country.
At 16, George started working as a surveyor, which means he measured land and made maps. By the time he was 19, he became a soldier in the French and Indian War. This war was between France and British America over land. The British Americans won, but it led to another big conflict called the American Revolution.
During the American Revolution, the American colonists, including George, fought against Britain for their freedom. The British wanted to control the 13 colonies, which made the colonists unhappy. When the British refused to change their ways, the colonies decided to go to war. George Washington was chosen to lead the colonists’ army, called the Continental Army.
Leading the army was tough for George because most of his soldiers were farmers, not trained fighters like the British. But George kept the army together, even after losing some battles. One of his most famous victories was crossing the Delaware River on a cold, snowy Christmas Day in 1776. The British soldiers were surprised and unprepared, leading to an important win for George’s army.
The American Revolution lasted six years, and in the end, the colonists won. The 13 colonies became free from British rule, marking the start of the United States of America. George and his soldiers made many sacrifices for their country’s freedom.
After the war, George Washington was elected as the first president of the United States. He served from 1789 to 1797 and helped shape the new government based on the Constitution. George set an example for future leaders and decided to step down after two terms, believing no one should hold too much power for too long. Today, presidents can serve only two terms, or eight years.
After leaving office, George Washington became ill and passed away on December 14, 1799. You might have heard the story about him cutting down a cherry tree and admitting it because he couldn’t tell a lie. While George was known for his honesty, that story isn’t true.
George Washington never lived in the White House or Washington, D.C. Instead, he lived in New York City when he was president, as it was the capital at the time. The capital later moved to Philadelphia and finally to Washington, D.C., named in his honor. He was the only president elected unanimously, meaning everyone voted for him. Although he owned slaves, he wanted to end slavery and included in his will that his slaves be freed after his death.
George Washington remains one of the most beloved presidents in American history. We hope you enjoyed learning about him!
Create Your Own Map: Just like George Washington worked as a surveyor, you can create a simple map of your own neighborhood or school. Use paper and colored pencils to draw the streets, buildings, and parks you know. Think about how George might have felt when he was mapping new areas. What challenges do you think he faced?
Reenact a Historical Moment: Gather some friends or family members and reenact the famous crossing of the Delaware River. Use a large piece of paper or a blanket to represent the river and pretend to be George Washington and his soldiers. Discuss why this event was important and how George’s leadership helped the army succeed.
Presidential Qualities Discussion: George Washington was known for his honesty and leadership. Have a discussion with your classmates or family about what qualities you think are important for a leader. Can you think of someone in your life who shows these qualities? How can you practice being a good leader in your own life?
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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**Narrator:** Do you know whose face this is? What about this? Here’s a hint: they are the same person. How about some more hints? They were born in Virginia on February 22, 1732. This period in history was known as the colonial times. They were also the very first president of the United States and were called the father of our country. Did you guess George Washington? Few did, but you’re right! Now let’s find out some more things about George Washington.
George Washington’s father passed away when he was only 11 years old. After his father’s death, he moved in with his older brother Lawrence, who took care of him. Lawrence helped teach George to be a gentleman and made sure he went to school, where he learned math and reading. George learned the importance of hard work, doing well in school, and making significant contributions to America.
At age 16, George got a job as a surveyor, measuring land and creating maps. Around the age of 19, he became a soldier during the French and Indian War, where France and British America fought over land. The British Americans won that war, but it eventually led to another conflict called the American Revolution.
During the American Revolution, the American colonists fought against Britain for their freedom. The British wanted to control the 13 colonies where Washington and other colonists lived, which upset George and the colonists due to the unfair treatment they received. They tried to persuade the British to change their ways, but the British refused. So, the colonies decided to go to war, and Washington was chosen to lead the American colonists. His army was called the Continental Army.
Leading the army was a challenging job for George because the colonists were not trained soldiers like the British; they were mostly farmers. However, George managed to keep the army together, even after losing a few battles. One of Washington’s most famous victories during the American Revolution was when he decided to cross the Delaware River on Christmas Day in 1776. It was a very cold, windy, and snowy day. The British soldiers on the other side of the river were not expecting an attack due to the weather and the holiday.
Washington’s strategy proved effective; the British soldiers were unprepared and soon surrendered. George’s army took many prisoners and won that battle. One of America’s future presidents, James Monroe, was part of George’s army when they crossed the Delaware. This victory was crucial for George and the army of colonists, especially since many soldiers were ready to give up before the crossing. Winning that battle gave them the courage to continue fighting.
The American Revolution lasted six years, and the American colonists eventually won the war. The 13 colonies were no longer under British rule; they were now free. This marked the beginning of the United States of America. George Washington and his soldiers made significant sacrifices during the American Revolution, with many losing their lives for the country’s freedom.
Several years after the war, Washington was elected as the first president of the United States, serving from 1789 until 1797. The government he helped create and guide followed the principles of the Constitution. As the first president, he set an example for future leaders on how to govern America. After two terms in office, George decided it was time to step down and allow someone else to lead the country, believing it was important for no one to hold the presidency for too long to prevent the accumulation of too much power. Today, presidents can only serve up to two terms or eight years in office.
A few years after leaving the presidency, Washington became very ill with a throat infection and passed away on December 14, 1799. You may have heard the story about George Washington cutting down a cherry tree as a young boy. When asked who did it, he reportedly said he could not tell a lie. While George Washington was known for his honesty, that story is not true.
Interestingly, George Washington never lived in the White House or even in Washington, D.C., where the president resides today. Instead, when he was president, he lived in New York City, which was the capital at the time. The capital later moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and finally to an area named Washington, D.C., in his honor.
Washington was the only president elected by a unanimous vote, meaning every state representative voted for him. Although he owned slaves, he did not support the practice of slavery and often expressed a desire to end it. However, it wasn’t until after his death that his slaves were finally freed, as he had included that wish in his will.
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Today, George Washington remains one of the most popular and beloved presidents. We hope you enjoyed learning with us! Visit us at learnbrite.org for thousands of free resources and turnkey solutions for teachers and homeschoolers.
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