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Editor's Note: On April 30, 1789, George Washington took the oath to become the first president of the United States. He did not actually want to be president, though. Lawmaker William Maclay noticed that Washington looked less comfortable facing the lawmakers than he had ever looked facing enemy soldiers. Washington was the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army in the Revolutionary War.
Fellow Citizens of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Nothing could worry me more than receiving the note that you sent me on the fourteenth day of this month. I was being summoned by my Country. I hear the voice of my country only with respect and love. Yet, I was being asked to leave my home. I chose this home so happily. I had firmly decided that this place would be good for me in my older years. I love this home more every day. I have had health problems. I am getting older. The serious job I am asked to do now, overwhelmed me with sadness. Anyone asked to do this job would worry about his skills. I have inherited bad qualities. I am not used to running a government. I know my own limitations. I have had conflicting feelings about all this. I thought carefully about what I owed to my country. I tried to think of every possible thing I might affect. I hope, I was not too influenced by my happy memories. I hope I was not too influenced by feeling good that my fellow-citizens trust me. I hope I have considered well enough if I am up to this job. There are weighty and untried problems in front of me. I thought I might want to avoid these problems. If I have not thought this out well, I should be forgiven. Hopefully my Country feels some of the love that helped me to decide.

This is my first official Act. I believe it is important to offer my prayers to the Almighty Being. He rules over the Universe. He rules over the Councils of Nations. His help can fix any person's weakness. I pray that his blessing will bring freedom and happiness of the People of the United States. May his blessing make every thing the Government does, a great success. I am sure that you feel the same way. I am sure all my fellow-citizens feel this way too. No People should give thanks to God, more than the People of the United States. Every step they have taken toward being a nation, was guided by the hand of God. Something different happened in making this new United Government. People from many different communities agreed on things so calmly. It is quite unusual. It is not the way most Governments are created. We must be grateful for things going so smoothly. We must appreciate our blessings. These are the thoughts I am having now. The thoughts have forced themselves strongly into my mind. I cannot push them away. They are the best thoughts to have now. We are beginning a new and free Government.

There is a part of the constitution about the Executive Department. It tells what a President must do. It says the President must tell you what should be done. I will remind you of the Great Constitutional Charter. This contract explains your powers. It lists the important things you should do. Today, I don't want talk about to this, though. I want to talk about your talent, your honesty, and your love of your country.

I have great trust in you. I believe that you will always be fair. You will not allow your personal interests to change your decisions. I also believe that our National laws will be made with your pure and unchangeable morals. People can see the superiority of a free Government. They see the way its Citizens love it. It is respected by the world.

Thinking of all this makes me happy. I have a strong love for my Country. There is something I know to be true. Good behavior always leads to happiness. Honesty and generosity, will always lead to great rewards. Public wealth and happiness will come to you. Heaven will only smile upon a nation that remembers the rules of order and right. Heaven has made these rules. The American people are now in charge of the sacred fire of freedom, and the the Republican model of Government. Their government is a great experiment.

You will be responsible for something very important. You will decide when the power given by the Fifth article of the Constitution is used. It will be up to you to decide if the constitution should change. You may decide to do it because citizens complain about the System. You may decide to do it because of some great problem that they complain about. It is too early for me to have any thoughts about this yet. I have not yet seen something which would help me decide. So I will not try to tell you what to do. I will trust that you are able to decide. I know you will always think of the good of the people. I am sure that you will not make a change which might put the Government in danger. I know that you have great respect for the rights of freemen. I know you have a great respect for the good of the people. This will be enough to make sure you do the right thing.

I have one more thing to add. This will be best said to the House of Representatives. It is about me. I will say this as quickly as possible. I was first honored to Serve my Country, just before we began our struggle for freedom. At that time I thought of the job I had to do. I decided that I should not take any pay for my work. I have not changed my mind about this. I still have the same feeling as I had then. So I must refuse the pay for this job. I know that other Presidents will be paid some day. Take the money set aside for this job, while I am in office, and use it on things to help the people. I have now told you of my feelings. I shall take my leave now. But before I go, I must once more talk about the kind parent of the human race. I remind you that he has given the American people, opportunities for careful planning in perfect calm. He has allowed everyone to agree on their form of Government. This has given them the security of their Union, and helped them to be happy. Because of this, I ask that his divine blessing may always be kept in mind in during the enlarged views, the calm consultations, and the wise measures on which the success of this Government must depend.

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Famous Speeches: George Washington's First Inaugural Address

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Editor's Note: On April 30, 1789, George Washington took the oath to become the first president of the United States. He did not actually want to be president, though. Lawmaker William Maclay noticed that Washington looked less comfortable facing the lawmakers than he had ever looked facing enemy soldiers.

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Editor's Note: In 1796, President George Washington decided not to seek re-election for a third term. He wrote this farewell letter to the American people to explain why. Washington had already been president twice. Some people thought the country needed his leadership. But Washington worried that he would be like a king if he was president again. The U.S. was still a new country. People were fighting with one another. Washington worried that the U.S. could break apart. Washington thought arguments between political parties made the government weak. He urged people not to divide themselves by where they lived in the country. He also warned against the U.S. getting too involved in problems in Europe. Washington worried that other countries could also affect U.S. politics. The letter was printed in a Philadelphia newspaper on September 19, 1796. Here is part of Washington's letter.
"I Will Not Run Again"

Friends and Citizens:

A new election of the President of the United States is near. I want you to know that I will not run again.

Four years ago, after my first term, I felt the same way. But there was much trouble with other countries. Also, persons I trusted said I must serve again. So I did.

I am thankful I was able to serve my country.

As I leave, these thoughts are on my mind.

Our union of 13 states keeps us strong and free. It leads to peace and safety at home and in other countries. But, it is easy to see that enemies could use tricks to attack our freedom.

"Every Part Of Our Country Protects This Union"

But, know that every part of our country carefully protects this union. The North has shipping, business and manufacturing companies that help the South. The South has farming and its own seaports that help the North. The East and the West have improved roads, canals and rivers. This helps move valuable products that help both. Our one union is protected by equal laws for the North, South, East and West. Each part protects the other.

The new Constitution sets up a government that shares power. It also has ways to change what needs to be improved. Respect its power. Obey its laws. It keeps us free.

We need to watch that the government acts fairly. One department should not force its power on another department. Checks and balances are needed to protect the powers of different departments. If this does not work, it can be fixed by changes described in the Constitution.

"This Is Our Worst Enemy"

We also need to watch for small groups of tricky and greedy men working only for themselves. They don't care about our union. This is our worst enemy. It could lead to someone wanting the power of a king. This ruins freedom.

Therefore, schools and colleges are needed to educate the people. The public must learn about this new government.

I also warn our country to avoid too much debt. Do not make our children pay the bills for what we have spent.

Observe good faith in business with all nations. Our business should be fair and equal. Favors are not to be given to any one nation.

"I Hope My Thoughts Have Been Helpful"

We should not always have to help other countries. But sometimes we can help if there is an emergency.

I hope my thoughts have been helpful.

Through these last eight years I worry that I may have made some mistakes. Whatever they may be, I hope they can be forgiven. I now end 45 years of working for my country.

I am at peace. I know my fellow citizens have good laws. Their union will protect them.

Geo. Washington

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Primary Sources: George Washington's Farewell Letter

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Editor's Note: In 1796, President George Washington decided not to seek re-election for a third term. He wrote this farewell letter to the American people to explain why. Washington had already been president twice. Some people thought the country needed his leadership. But Washington worried that he would be like a king if he was president again.

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Newsela | Primary Sources: Washington Sells a Runaway Slave to the West Indies

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Free leveled news, primary sources, and more, with standards-aligned formative assessments.

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Newsela | Primary Sources: George Washington on Losing the Battle of Brooklyn

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Free leveled news, primary sources, and more, with standards-aligned formative assessments.

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George Washington was the first president of the United States.

He became president on April 30, 1789. Washington thought about what it meant to be the very first president. He knew that what he did would be an example for all presidents after him. He hoped his example would be a good one.

Growing Up As A Farmer

George Washington was born in 1732. His family were planters in Virginia. He was good at math and learned proper manners. His first job was helping to measure land so America could grow. Then more settlers could move to the colonies.

Washington was a soldier for the British army in the French and Indian War. It began in 1754. It was mainly over land in the Ohio Valley. He did not get hurt but his coat had bullet holes and two horses were shot from under him. He learned a lot in the army about being a leader.

Washington Knows Changes Are Coming

Mount Vernon, Virginia, was Washington's home. He grew different crops on his land. He also became a Virginia lawmaker. He was married to Martha Custis and they had a busy and happy life. He worked hard and sold his crops. Still, Washington felt cheated and trapped by the British. He believed their rules and taxes were wrong.

Washington represented Virginia at the Second Continental Congress. When Congress decided to fight to be a free country, Washington was elected to be in charge of the colonial army. The Revolutionary War started on July 3, 1775. It lasted six long years.

Washington was worried because his men were not well trained. He realized that the best plan was to not fight big battles. Finally, in 1781, with the help of the French, he forced the British to give up the fight. The war was over. The colonies were free.

No Other Choice For President

Washington longed to go back home to Mount Vernon. But he realized that the nation was not ready for him to go. In 1787, he went to a meeting of all the states. It was called the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. When the new Constitution of the United States was approved, George Washington was elected to be the first president.

As president, Washington created the new country's government. He did not want to be a big part of the duties of Congress. He felt that decision-making powers belonged to those lawmakers. Yet deciding things that had to do with other countries was mostly the president's job. In the war between France and England, Washington did not take sides. He felt the United States needed to get stronger before it fought again.

Time For A New Leader

At the end of his presidency, George and Martha Washington retired to their home in Mount Vernon. The last time he spoke as president, he spoke about being united. He said that all Americans should work together. It would make the country stronger.

Washington enjoyed less than three years at Mount Vernon. He died of a throat infection. He was 67 years old. The American people were very sad for the leader who had helped the nation to become free.

Adapted from the Presidents of the United States of America, 18th edition, published by the White House Historical Association, 2009.

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George Washington was the first president of the United States. He became president on April 30, 1789. Washington thought about what it meant to be the very first president. He knew that what he did would be an example for all presidents after him. He hoped his example would be a good one.

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The American Presidents: George Washington
Appropriate Grades: 1-4
Review common misconceptions about George Washington. Students will identify truth from fiction in this video about the man elected as the first president of the United States.

Source: Disney Education on youtube.com

Length: 3 minutes 14 seconds
Extension Activities

George Washington - Making the Nation
Appropriate Grades: 5-8
This historical documentary follows George Washington from the First Continental Congress in 1774 to his death in 1799.

Source: Studies Weekly on youtube.com

Length: 5 minutes 33 seconds
Extension Activities

Founding Father's Real Face
Appropriate Grades: 9-12
Discover the truth behind the legend of George Washington. This video identifies fact from fiction about the first president of the United States.

Source: National Geographic on youtube.com

Length: 4 minutes 11 seconds
Extension Activities

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George Washington Videos & Activities for Presidents' Day

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Appropriate Grades: 1-4 Review common misconceptions about George Washington. Students will identify truth from fiction in this video about the man elected as the first president of the United States. Source: Disney Education on youtube.com Length: 3 minutes 14 seconds Extension Activities Appropriate Grades: 5-8 This historical documentary follows George Washington from the First Continental Congress in 1774 to his death in 1799.

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Learn more about George Washington - first American president, commander of the Continental Army, president of the Constitutional Convention, and gentleman planter.

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Short Biography of George Washington: Fast Overview of his LifeFacts and Info: George Washington was the first president of America. He helped to establish the federal government and aspired to create a free, democratic and united country. For additional info refer to
20 Facts about George Washington.

Martha Washington

Short Biography of George Washington: His PresidencyFacts and Info: George Washington was Independent but had strong sympathies with the Federalist Political Party. He was 57 years old when he was inaugurated as the first American president. John Adams stood as the Vice president. He was the only president who was unanimously elected and ran unopposed for both his terms of office. For additional facts refer to his
Presidential Cabinet members.

Short Biography of George Washington for kids

The Presidency, biography and life of George Washington for schools, homework, kids and children

Biography of George Washington - Life - important Events - President - American - US - USA - America - Birth - Dates - United States - Kids - Children - Schools - Homework - Important - Facts - Family - Presidential - History - Presidency - Achievements - Accomplishments - Fun - Interesting - Political - Career - Education - Info - Information - George Washington Presidency - GeorgeWashington Political Party - Biography of George Washington

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Short Biography of George Washington: Fast Overview of his LifeFacts and Info: George Washington was the first president of America. He helped to establish the federal government and aspired to create a free, democratic and united country. For additional info refer to 20 Facts about George Washington.

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Biography of George Washington for Kids: Meet the American President - FreeSchool