George Washington died in 1799.

George Washington was far more than just the first President of the United States. He was the first president of the very first modern democratic republic. He set the precedents for how to conduct the stewardship of the office. Before Washington, no one had ever held such a position. The Founders had established the political parameters of the office, the nature of and limits to its power, its term and so forth, but it was up to Washington to be the first, to make the office his own and to show his successors “how it is done.” Most would argue that he did so brilliantly. In spite of the fact that many offered him the opportunity to arrogate power to himself (some even suggesting he be made king), he believed strongly in the system established at the Constitutional Convention in 1787. He respected the policy-making powers given to Congress in the Constitution.

Washington established a number of important precedents. He conducted himself as the chief executive, concentrating on foreign policy and providing an overall direction for the country. He chose to serve only two terms, in part because he felt that the office of President should be held by citizens who wished to serve their country, not by de facto kings like the ones from whom the new nation had struggled so long to gain its independence. The majority of Presidents who followed Washington made this same choice, based on the precedent he established, until the two-term limit for presidents was codified into law by the 22nd amendment. His role as Commander in Chief was established prior to his presidency; he was elected Commander in Chief of the Continental Army in May of 1775, and led his troops for the six hard years of the War of Independence.

Interestingly, his military career had an amazing feature: in spite of the many rifles aimed at him, both in the War of Independence and in the French and Indian War before it, and in spite of the fact that he made a big target (he was 6’3” tall), he was never once wounded. There were bullet holes in his uniforms showing he had been nearly hit many times, but never once was he himself struck. People noted it at the time, and thought it quite amazing. But even such a man eventually must succumb, and President George Washington died on this day in 1799.

EDSITEment
In Background on the Patriot Attitude Toward the Monarchy (6–8), students look at how the role of "President" was defined by the founding fathers in order to distinguish the position from that of a monarch. They describe the role of the English monarch as perceived by the Patriots, and then describe how the Patriots viewed the King of England and his effect on their lives.

The Lost Hero: Who Was Really Our First President? (6–8) is a three-lesson unit that helps students examine the role of President as defined in the Articles of Confederation and consider the precedent-setting accomplishments of John Hanson, the first full-term "President of the United States in Congress Assembled."

In another three-lesson unit, Before and Beyond the Constitution: What Should a President Do? (6–8), students learn about and discuss the powers and responsibilities of the President as defined by the Constitution. They list some of the precedents set during George Washington's term in office, and then match an action of a President with a power or responsibility of the Chief Executive.

One lesson from the unit, George Washington: The Precedent President (6–8), helps students examine some important developments that occurred during George Washington's tenure as the first President of the United States and how that tenure affected the future of the U.S. and the office of President.

The unit What Made George Washington a Good Military Leader? (9–12) introduces activities in which students read the Continental Congress's resolutions granting powers to General Washington; analyze some of Washington's wartime orders, dispatches and correspondence in terms of the characteristics of a good general; and study four battles by referring to primary source materials. In the final lesson in the unit, students examine Washington's words in response to a proposal that he become the head of a military dictatorship.

In George Washington: The Living Symbol (9–12), students examine the life and legend of George Washington as reflected in his writings and in popular commemorations of his accomplishments, investigate his contribution to the legend that has grown up around him, explore some of the meanings that have been attached to Washington through the course of American history and present a statement of findings.