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George
Washington Elementary School was named in honor of the first president of the
United States.
A
LITTLE WASHINGTON HISTORY
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January 6, 1759, George Washington married Martha Dandridge Custis, a
wealthy young widow. The Washingtons had no children of their own, but
they raised Martha's children from her previous marriage, Jackie and Patsy
(pictured below). The marriage began the relatively peaceful
inter-war period in Washington's life, during which he farmed tobacco and
served on the House of Burgesses, the popularly elected chamber of the
Virginia colonial legislature. |
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On
June 15, 1775, the Continental Congress elected George Washington general
and commander in chief of the Continental Army. This etching shows
Washington, center, taking command of the army on July 3, 1775.
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| On
December 25, 1776, General George Washington led his troops in a surprise
attack against the British, who had settled into winter quarters in New
Jersey. The American forces crossed the Delaware River at night and
defeated the British troops first at Trenton and then at Princeton. These
victories, although minor, dramatically improved the morale of the
American forces. |
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The
Continental Army's encampment at Valley Forge in Pennsylvania during the
winter of 1777-1778 was the bleakest time of the American struggle for
independence. Hunger and disease compounded the problems of inadequate
shelter and lack of adequate winter clothing. More than 2500 men died of
typhus, dysentery, and pneumonia. Washington made repeated appeals for aid
and supplies, but the Congress was unable to move the states to provide
them. |
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George
Washington was instrumental in bringing about the Constitutional
Convention of 1787. Elected as a delegate to the convention by the
Virginia General Assembly, Washington was chosen its president. In that
position, he avoided expressing his political opinions. Since it was
likely he would be the nation's first president, he understood the need
for his impartiality. |
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Early
on the morning of December 14, 1799, Washington awoke with an inflamed
throat. His condition rapidly worsened. He was further weakened by medical
treatment that included frequent blood-letting. He faced death calmly, as
"the debt which we all must pay," and died at 11:30 that night.
In the national mourning that followed, many tributes were paid to
Washington. President Adams called him "the most illustrious and
beloved person which this country ever produced." Adams later added:
"His example is now complete, and it will teach wisdom and virtue to
magistrates, citizens, and men, not only in the present age but in future
generations as long as our history shall be read."
George and Martha
Washington on buried on the grounds of their famous plantation on the banks overlooking the Potomac river about 10 miles from Washington,
DC. |
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