George Washington (February 22, 1732 – December 14, 1799) was an American political leader, military general, statesman, and founding father who served as the first president of the United States from 1789 to 1797. Previously, he led Patriot forces to victory in the nation's War for Independence. He presided at the Constitutional Convention of 1787, which established the U.S. Constitution. In 1885, Congress proclaimed Washington's birthday to be a federal holiday. Twentieth-century biographer Douglas Southall Freeman concluded, 'The great big thing stamped across that man is character.' Modern historian David Hackett Fischer has expanded upon Freeman's assessment, defining Washington's character as 'integrity, self-discipline, courage, absolute honesty, resolve, and decision, but also forbearance, decency, and respect for others'.
(February 22,
(February 22,