George Washington (February 22, 1732 – December 14, 1799) was a Founding Father and the first President of the United States. Born in colonial Virginia, he rose to prominence as a military leader and statesman whose decisions shaped the foundations of American government.
Washington commanded the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, leading forces against the British at a time when independence was far from guaranteed. On July 4, 1776 — the day the Declaration of Independence was signed — he was stationed in New York with his troops, bracing for a British assault. His perseverance through the war cemented his reputation as a national hero.
