Who became the first president of the United States after the 1788–1789 election?

George Washington became the first president of the United States after the 1788–1789 election. He was unanimously elected by the Electoral College and took office in New York City on April 30, 1789.

Washington had already been nationally prominent as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War and as president of the Constitutional Convention. His election gave the new constitutional government a widely respected inaugural leader. John Adams became vice president after receiving the second-highest electoral vote.

Washington served two terms, from 1789 to 1797, and established precedents for the presidency, including the practice of voluntarily leaving office after two terms. His first inauguration occurred at Federal Hall in New York City, which was then the nation’s temporary capital. Washington’s role connects the military struggle for independence with the constitutional government created afterward.