George Washington (22. 2. 1732 - 14. 12. 1799) - the first president of the United States. One of the leaders of the struggle for the independence of the United States.

George Washington was born in Bridge's Creek in Virginia planter family and Judge Augustine Washington. He left his family farm in seventeen years and earned a living as a surveyor or a guide to the still little explored territories. As a member of the Virginia militia fought on the side of the English against the French, the Spaniards and the original Native American tribes. The regular royal army, despite efforts did not, despite being among the volunteer corps has twenty-two reached the rank of colonel.

After the death of a half-brother from his wife rented a farmhouse in Mount Vernon, where he grew tobacco. Later marriage with the widow Martha Custisovou, whose two children at the same time adopted, received more extensive land. Management, however, due to falling prices and tobacco taxes they had to pay planters English king, became unprofitable. When in 1775 the outbreak of the War of Independence, Washington stood at the head of the colonial troops.

July 4, 1776 announced the thirteen North American colonies in Philadelphia independence from England (United States Declaration of Independence). Conflict after alternating successes both sides came to the decisive Battle of Yorktown (1781), which together with the French colonists soundly defeated the army of King George III. He then November 30, 1782 recognized the independence of the United States. George Washington war officially ended the ceasefire announcement April 18, 1783 and the same year he returned to his farm in Mount Vernon. In 1787 presided over the Philadelphia Constitutional Convention that drafted the United States Constitution and April 6, 1789 Congress was elected the first president of the United States. A position he held even further term until 1797.

Geroge Washington died on December 14, 1799, Americans named after him his capital city and one of the states.