George Washington became the first president of the United States, and his 1789 inauguration followed the founding events honored by America250.
Washington took the oath of office on April 30, 1789, at Federal Hall in New York City. The Constitution had created the presidency, and the Electoral College unanimously selected Washington as the first person to hold the office. John Adams became vice president.
Washington had already become a major national figure as commander in chief of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. His leadership at Yorktown and his willingness to surrender military power after the war helped establish his reputation as a symbol of the new republic.
The presidency did not exist when the Declaration of Independence was adopted in 1776. The Continental Congress had a presiding officer, such as John Hancock, but that position was not the same as the later executive office. Washington served two terms and left office in 1797.