George Washington became the first president of the United States under the Constitution.
Washington was unanimously chosen by the Electoral College in 1789. He took the oath of office on April 30 at Federal Hall in New York City, beginning the presidency created by the new constitutional system.
Before becoming president, Washington had commanded the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War and had presided over the Constitutional Convention of 1787. His reputation for military leadership and public service made him the consensus choice for the new office.
Washington served two terms and declined to seek a third. His decision helped establish the tradition that presidents should leave office voluntarily after two terms, although the Constitution did not formally impose a two-term limit until the Twenty-second Amendment was ratified in 1951.