George Washington was born on February 22, 1732, in Virginia. He was homeschooled until he was 16 years old. After that, he started working as a surveyor, which means he made maps of land. He was really good at it and created many maps during his life.
When George was 20, his older brother passed away, and George inherited the family estate called Mt. Vernon. By the time he was 22, he became a major in the Virginia militia, and at 23, he was promoted to colonel, leading all the soldiers in Virginia. He fought with the British in the French and Indian War.
In 1758, George left the military and went back to Mt. Vernon. He got married and was elected to Virginia’s House of Burgesses, which was like a mini-Congress. Around this time, the American colonies were getting upset with Great Britain because of high taxes without having a say in the government.
When the Revolutionary War started in 1775, George Washington became the leader of the Continental Army. Even though the British Army was bigger and had more resources, George was determined to win. One of his famous victories was at the Battle of Trenton, where he crossed the icy Delaware River to surprise the enemy and captured over 1,000 soldiers.
Another big win was at the Siege of Yorktown in 1781. George and his troops defeated the British, which led to their surrender. This victory helped the American colonies gain independence.
After the war, it took a few years for the colonies to form a strong government. In 1789, George Washington became the first president of the United States. He was the only president ever to be elected unanimously, meaning everyone voted for him. He served two terms and chose to step down after his second term in 1797, setting an example for future presidents.
George Washington died on December 14, 1799, at 67 years old, and was buried at Mt. Vernon. He is often called the “Father of Our Country” because he played a crucial role in founding the United States. His legacy lives on through his image on money, the Washington Monument, and the celebration of his birthday every February. People remember him as “First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen.”
Map Making Adventure: Just like George Washington, try your hand at being a surveyor! Go outside and choose a small area, like your backyard or a nearby park. Use a piece of paper and a pencil to draw a simple map of the area. Include landmarks like trees, benches, or playground equipment. Think about how George might have felt when he was creating maps of new places. What challenges do you think he faced?
Revolutionary Role Play: Gather some friends or family members and act out a scene from the Revolutionary War. You could pretend to be George Washington leading the Continental Army. Use props like toy soldiers or homemade flags. Discuss how George Washington might have motivated his troops even when things were tough. What qualities do you think made him a good leader?
Presidential Decisions: Imagine you are the first president of a new country. What are three important rules or laws you would create to help your country run smoothly? Write them down and share them with your classmates or family. Discuss why these rules are important and how they might help people live together peacefully.
