For America's 250th anniversary, who became the first U.S. president in 1789?

George Washington became the first president of the United States in 1789, making his inauguration an essential milestone in the nation’s 250-year story.

Washington had commanded the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War and later presided over the Constitutional Convention. His national reputation helped him win unanimous electoral support in the first presidential election under the Constitution.

He took the oath of office on April 30, 1789, at Federal Hall in New York City. John Adams became the first vice president. Washington served two terms, from 1789 until 1797, and established practices that influenced later presidents, including assembling a cabinet and delivering formal messages to Congress.

Washington is sometimes confused with the first person to hold executive power under the Articles of Confederation. The Confederation Congress had a presiding officer, but that position was not the presidency created by the Constitution. Washington was the first person to serve as president under the new constitutional system.