On February 22, 1732, in Pope’s Creek, Virginia, the greatest hero of our nation was born.  This hero was none other than George Washington.  He was the first son of his parents Augustine Washington, whom was in his second marriage at that time, and Mary Ball.  Augustine died when George was only eleven years old, leaving him to be raised by George’s half-brother Lawrence. Lawrence brought up George at Mt. Vernon, which was once owned by Augustine and was handed over to Lawrence, to be a well-rounded man   As a child, George was tutored at home, but did not go to college.  

Despite George’s efforts to help Lawrence by taking him to the West Indies, he died of Tuberculosis in 1752.  All of the land that Lawrence had owned, particularly Mt. Vernon, was now in the possession of George.  Being gifted in math, George went on to become a surveyor of lands.  Among the land that he surveyed, he would later obtain some of this land in the future. 

The French and Indian War broke out in 1753.  At that time, Washington was made a Lieutenant Colonel of a Virginian Regiment.  He led one hundred and fifty men to ambush the forts on the Ohio River.  While overtaking the fort, the American Indian allies of Washington killed and scalped Joseph Coulon de Jumonville, a French diplomat.  The French claimed that the party was looking to find a diplomatic solution to the war.  This leads to the French making Washington admit that he assassinated Jumonville.  When they finally release Washington, he agrees that he will not return to the Ohio Country for one year.

Later in 1755, General Edward Braddock, along with 2,000 men, tries to take back the Ohio area.  Right when he finds out about this, Washington volunteers to be an assistant of Braddock.  Braddock favors Washington and at this time tells Washington that he will be given a higher rank in the military.  At the Battle of Monogahela, Braddock was killed, along with a majority of his men and Washington’s promotion, but Washington remarkably survived despite having four bullet holes in his uniform and two horses shot from beneath him.

After the French and Indian War, Washington decided to leave the army.  Upon his arrival back at Mt. Vernon, Washington began to erect new buildings and refurbished the neglected parts of his estate.  Washington also joined the House of Burgesses in Virginia.  It was at this time, in January 1759, when he married Marta Dandridge Custis, whom was a wealthy widow with two children (it was believed that Washington was actually in love with Sally Fairfax, but she was already).  Washington was now trying to settle down and live as a farmer, but he felt a burden from the British taxes and regulations, as did his fellow citizens around him.

Washington then continued to become a delegate in both the First and Second Continental Congress.  It was around 1775 when the war was beginning and the colonies were in desperate need o a military commander.  During the second meeting, Washington was appointed the commander-in-chief of Continental Army.  Washington had shown up in military uniform during the meetings, showing that he was ready to fight for his land.

Washington did not perform to great in the beginning of the war.  The first battle of the war took place in New York when General William Howe tried to capture it.  Washington and his army had to keep retreating after losing this battle and several others.  Washington’s first success in battle came in Trenton.  He and his men traveled across the Delaware River into a British camp on Christmas Day in 1776, killing and capturing over one thousand Hessian soldiers.

During the winter of 1777-78, one-fourth of Washington’s men had died because of disease, hunger, and other problems.  Although, the enlistment for the soldiers under Washington’s command was up, almost all of them decided to stay.  Washington continued to fight and, under the tactics of guerilla warfare, won a few more battles, including the battle of Princeton.

The end of the Revolutionary War followed a few years later at Yorktown on October 17, 1781, where General Cornwallis surrendered.  The Treaty of Paris was signed in September 1782, formally recognizing the United States as independent.  Following this, Washington bid farewell to his troops and went back to reside at Mt. Vernon.

George Washington is the greatest figure in American history.  He displays all of the qualities our country stands for: bravery, independence, and dignified.  He is an exemplary figure to everyone that wishes to lead a life of significance.  He was, as Henry Lee once said in George Washington’s eulogy, “First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen”.

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