George Washington - Biography.

George Washington - Biography. 1st president of the United States Birth February 22, 1732 Death December 14, 1799 Home State Virginia Party None Terms In Office 1789-1793 1793-1797 Vice President John Adams Significant Acts Made the first presidential veto, blocking a 1792 bill to increase the number of U.S. representatives. Issued a proclamation of neutrality in 1793 that kept the United States out of the French Revolutionary Wars. Laid the cornerstone for the U.S. Capitol building in the District of Columbia. Put down the Whiskey Rebellion, a 1794 tax revolt in Pennsylvania, by summoning the militia of several states. Prevented another war with Great Britain through an unpopular treaty negotiated by Chief Justice John Jay in 1794. Career 1749 Served as surveyor for Culpeper County, Virginia. 1755 Became Commander in Chief of Virginia forces. 1758 Elected to the House of Burgesses, the legislative assembly of Virginia. 1774 Served as a Virginia delegate to the First Continental Congress. 1775-1783 Led the Continental Army in the American War of Independence. 1787 Served as President of the Constitutional Convention. 1789-1797 President of the United States. 1798 Appointed by President John Adams as Lieutenant-General and Commander in Chief of all the armies of the United States. Did You Know Washington owned more than 13,000 hectares (33,000 acres) distributed over several states. Washington lived in New York City and Philadelphia during his presidency. Washington rejected a movement among army officers to make him king of the United States. Washington is the only president who was elected unanimously. Washington set many precedents for the presidency, including the service of only two terms. Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.