Meet Your President Tuesday

So, I know alliteration is more fun, but since I have 3 hours every Tuesday to sit at watch people walk in and out of the little library I work at, I think Meet Your President is moving to Tuesdays. 

I am still in need of a really great creative approach to these little bios, so for now it is just the facts.

George Washington - President Numero Uno.

-Born: February 22, 1732 to Augustine Washington and his second wife Mary Ball Washington.
-His father died in 1743, when Washington was only 11 years old.  He moved in with his half-brother, Lawrence who became a substitute father.  Shortly after a trip to Barbados, in 1752 to cure Lawrence of his tuberculosis, the elder brother succumbed to his illness.
-Washington started his military career in the French and Indian War (1754-1763)  He was sent in 1753 to give the French a warning not to encroach on British territory and when he returned he published his diaries about the difficult and dangerous mission.  When the war ended he returned home a colonel.
-In January, 1759, Washington married Martha Dandridge Custis.  She was already a widow with two children, John ("Jacky") and Martha ("Patsy") when she married George. 
-In 1775 Washington was congress's unanimous choice for commander-in-chief.
-During the Revolutionary War (1775-1783), Martha joined George wherever he was stationed for the winter and tried to cheer the men.
-After the war, Washington hoped he could return home and lead a quiet life, but he felt a duty to accept the electors' unanimous decision and become our first President.
-Sworn In to Office: April 30, 1789 in New York City
-Years Served as President: 1789-1797 (2 Terms) Washington was disappointed when the country split into two political parties by the end of his first term.
-Died: December 14, 1799 of a throat infection, most likely acute laryngitis.  He is buried at his home, Mount Vernon.

I commend any of you who actually read all of that.  I think my favorite part was learning about his wife and the fact that he didn't really want to be president, but he knew he had to set good precedents for presidents after him.

Favorite George Washington quote: "I hope I shall always possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an 'Honest Man'."

Just for the record, there were some other really great quotes, but I'll limit myself to one.

Yours affectionately,
A.H.