George Washington became the first president of the United States, a founding leader remembered in America250 celebrations.
Washington was unanimously elected by the Electoral College in 1789 after presiding over the Constitutional Convention. He took the oath of office at Federal Hall in New York City on April 30, 1789.
Before the presidency, Washington commanded the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. His reputation for military leadership and public service helped make him the natural choice to lead the new constitutional government.
Washington served two four-year terms and left office in 1797. His voluntary retirement established an early tradition of limited presidential tenure, although the two-term limit was not added to the Constitution until the Twenty-Second Amendment in 1951.