Today we celebrate the birthday of the first POTUS, George Washington. I remember as a child in elementary school, that this was a very important day in itself. We now celebrate the birthdays of all presidents on one day in February, but in those days, this one was carved out to especially honor the “father of our country.” We often made cut out silhouettes of George and Martha Washington and glued them to construction paper.
Most Americans know all about this founding father- a man who rose from the military ranks to a place of leadership within those very ranks. We’ve heard the stories about the fledgling nation pursuing its independence, yet Washington had always hoped that war against England would not have to take place – that this new country could gain its freedom without dividing itself from the crown.
We remember the battles of Lexington and Concord in April of 1775 which escalated into armed conflict. We’re all too familiar with the vivid imagery of Washington crossing the Delaware. We shutter to think of the death and devastation of starving, freezing soldiers, without shoes and warm clothing, at Valley Forge. We seem to imagine that Washington was always a soldier and leader of his troops against the British army.
We don’t often think of the young boy who was homeschooled between the ages of 7 and 15. We don’t think of him as a slave owner, a land baron or a tobacco grower. He wasn’t a seasoned military leader. He had no experience against an army that would fight head on in battle. He was more used to skirmishes within the countryside. He would soon learn that war was not simply gaining victories. He discovered that politics played as important a role as did winning a battle. The point was to keep the resistance alive in the minds and hearts of his men.
His father died when George was only eleven so he had to grow up quick. His education continued through the sexton of the local church ,where he learned practical math, geography and Latin. Most of his knowledge came from on the job experience, which he learned from the plantation foreman or through his job as a surveyor. His real passion was for the land and farming. He left his plantation in exchange for service to his country, but would later return to it once he left the presidency.
We owe a debt of gratitude to our first president. He was smart enough to surround himself with learned men. Jefferson, Franklin, Sam Adams, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and others who advised and assisted him with the formation of the young independent nation. Washington never wanted to give the impression that the presidency was the same as a monarchy, so he never appeared at public events in military attire during his two terms in office. Instead he opted for a black velvet suit, buckled shoes and a white powdered wig.
Happy birthday, Mr. President!