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George Washington was born on February 22, 1732 in a Virginia farmhouse. Virginia at the time was an English colony. When George was eleven his father died and so helped run the family farm with his mother and younger siblings. When George turned sixteen he got a job surveying land in the Virginia wilderness. In 1753, when Washington was 21 he joined the Virginia army.In 1754 the French and Indian war began. George Washington founght on the side of England. He led the Virginia soldiers againest the French. When George was 26 he fell in love and married Martha Custis. She was a widow with two children. Together they moved to Mount Veron which was a home and farm that once belonged to George's brother. In April, 1775 fighting between England and American colonies began. A month later in Philadelphia the leaders of the thirteen colonies chose George Washington to lead the Continental Army. After eight years of fighting the Continental Army won in 1783. George Washington became a hero. The new United States goverment was formed with a congress, supreme court and a president. Because Washington was a well known hero and leader he was elected as the first president of the United States of America in 1789. He was reelected in 1792. In 1797, after eight years as president, George Washington returned to his home at Mount Vernon.Fifteen miles North of Mount Vernon a new city was being made. It would be the Capital of the United States, and it would be called Washington D.C after George Washington. In 1799 George Washington became ill and died. He was 67 years old. Washington was a great leaderand was called the 'Father of the United States'. It has been said that Geroge Washington was 'First in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his countrymen'. Important Dates
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George Washington© 2012 Claire Anglin