John Hanson, First President John Hanson, American Patriot and First President of the United States (1715-1783) He was the heir of one of the greatest family traditions in the colonies and became the patriarch of a long line of American patriots ï¿½ his great-grandfather died at Lutzen beside the great King Gustavus Aldophus of Sweden; his grandfather was one of the founders of New Sweden along the Delaware River in Maryland; one of his nephews was the military secretary to George Washington; another was a signer of the Declaration; still another was a signer of the Constitution; yet another was Governor of Maryland during the Revolution; and still another was a member of the first Congress; two sons were killed in action with the Continental Army; a grandson served as a member of Congress under the new Constitution; and another grandson was a Maryland Senator. Thus, even if Hanson had not served as President himself, he would have greatly contributed to the life of the nation through his ancestry and progeny.

As a youngster he began a self-guided reading of classics and rather quickly became an acknowledged expert in the juridicalism of Anselm and the practical philosophy of Seneca ï¿½ both of which were influential in the development of the political philosophy of the great leaders of the Reformation. It was based upon these legal and theological studies that the young planter ï¿½ his farm, Mulberry Grove was just across the Potomac from Mount Vernon ï¿½ began to espouse the cause of the patriots. In 1775 he was elected to the Provincial Legislature of Maryland. Then in 1777, he became a member of Congress where he distinguished himself as a brilliant administrator. Thus, he was elected President in 1781. Was John Hanson the first President of the United States? The new country was actually formed on March 1, 1781 with the adoption of The Articles of Confederation. This document was actually proposed on June 11, 1776, but not agreed upon by Congress until November 15, 1777.

Maryland refused to sign this document until Virginia and New York ceded their western lands (Maryland was afraid that these states would gain too much power in the new government from such large amounts of land). Once the signing took place in 1781, a President was needed to run the country. John Hanson was chosen unanimously by Congress (which included George Washington). In fact, all the other potential candidates refused to run against him, as he was a major player in the Revolution and an extremely influential member of Congress. As the first President, Hanson had quite the shoes to fill. No one had ever been President and the role was poorly defined. His actions in office would set precedent for all future Presidents. He took office just as the Revolutionary War ended. Almost immediately, the troops demanded to be paid. As would be expected after any long war, there were no funds to meet the salaries. As a result, the soldiers threatened to overthrow the new government and put Washington on the throne as a monarch. All the members of Congress ran for their lives, leaving Hanson running the government. He somehow managed to calm the troops and hold the country together. If he had failed, the government would have fallen almost immediately and everyone would have been bowing to King Washington.

Hanson, as President, ordered all foreign troops off American soil, as well as the removal of all foreign flags. This was quite a feat, considering the fact that so many European countries had a stake in the United States since the days following Columbus. Hanson established the Great Seal of the United States, which all Presidents have since been required to use on all official documents. President Hanson also established the first Treasury Department, the first Secretary of War, and the first Foreign Affairs Department. Lastly, he declared that the fourth Thursday of every November was to be Thanksgiving Day, which is still true today. The Articles of Confederation only allowed a President to serve a one-year term during any three-year period, so Hanson actually accomplished quite a bit in such little time. He served in that office from November 5, 1781 until November 3, 1782. He was the first President to serve a full term after the full ratification of the Articles of Confederation ï¿½ and like so many of the Southern and New England Founders, he was strongly opposed to the Constitution when it was first discussed. He remained a confirmed anti-federalist until his untimely death.

Six other presidents were elected after him - Elias Boudinot (1783), Thomas Mifflin (1784), Richard Henry Lee (1785), Nathan Gorman (1786), Arthur St. Clair (1787), and Cyrus Griffin (1788) - all prior to Washington taking office. Why don't we ever hear about the first seven Presidents of the United States? It's quite simple - The Articles of Confederation didn't work well. The individual states had too much power and nothing could be agreed upon. A new doctrine needed to be written - something we know as the Constitution. George Washington was definitely not the first President of the United States. He was the first President of the United States under the Constitution we follow today. And the first seven Presidents are forgotten in history. Reference: Grant, George, "The Forgotten Presidents" (excerpted from "The Patriot's Handbook"). Back to Marshall Hall Story George Washington was not the first president of the United States -- it was John Hanson? - AOL News George Washington was not the first president of the United States -- it was John Hanson? Before you go, we thought you'd like these...

John Hanson, the real first president? See Gallery George Washington was not the first president of the United States -- it was John Hanson? Hanson, John (bust), 1871 518070 George Washington (1732Â1799), the first president of the United States of America. Painted by Gilbert Stuart (1755Â1828). A bronze statue of John Hanson, president of the Continental Congress from Maryland during the era of the American Revolution, stands near the entrance to the Senate floor on Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, March 28, 2011. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) A larger-than-life bronze statue of John Hanson, president of the Continental Congress from Maryland during the era of the American Revolution, stands near the entrance to the Senate floor on Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, March 28, 2011. (AP Photo/J.

Scott Applewhite) A larger-than-life bronze statue of John Hanson, president of the Continental Congress from Maryland during the era of the American Revolution, right, stands near the entrance to the Senate floor on Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, March 28, 2011. Beside Hanson are statues of Patrick A. McCarran of Nevada, left, and Roger Williams of Rhode Island. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) A detail of the statue of John Hanson, president of the Continental Congress from Maryland during the era of the American Revolution, is seen near the entrance to the Senate floor on Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, March 28, 2011. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) UNITED STATES - CIRCA 1981: A postcard printed in USA shows John Hanson, circa 1981 US postage stamp, John Hanson Gilbert Charles Stuart, George Washington the first good president. 1797 Oil on canvas.

A statue of George Washington, first president of the United States, in front of Federal Hall in New York City, USA IMAGE DISTRIBUTED FOR THE SMITHSONIAN'S NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN - The signature of President George Washington on the 1794 Treaty of Canandaigua, on display as part of the Smithsonian Institutionâs National Museum of the American Indianâs latest exhibition, Nation to Nation: Treaties Between the United States and American Indian Nations, on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2014 in Washington. The Treaty is the first of six original treaties to be featured in the exhibition. Nation to Nation opens to the public at the National Museum of the American Indian on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014. (Paul Morigi/AP Images for The Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian) John Hanson - bust By RYAN GORMAN Everything you learned in history class is wrong, George Washington was not the first American chief executive. Mostly forgotten, but equally important, John Hanson was the first president of the Continental Congress following the ratification of the Articles of Confederation.

A descendant of his who is trying to revive the national hero's memory spoke recently to Yahoo News . Hanson was elected to the position in 1781. George Washington, widely viewed as the first president, was elected into office in 1789 after leading the Continental Army to victory over Britain in the Revolutionary War. Hanson was a businessman from Maryland who was chosen by his peers in the first Continental Congress to lead the country in its infancy. He served from November 3, 1781 to November 5, 1782. He and that first congress operated under the original articles of confederation shortly after the 13 Colonies declared their independence from the British Monarchy. Hanson was not the only man to lead the Continental Congress before George Washington's ascension, but he was the first. The foundation for America's modern government was laid during that term. "John Hanson and his Congress inherited a blank slate and had to create a government from whole cloth and they did -- and successfully," Peter Michael told Yahoo News . Michael is a Hanson descendant working to bring his ancestor's contributions to the country's founding back into the public consciousness.

"If they hadn't, the United States might not have existed." The original U.S. was a single government with no separate branches. The legislative and executive branches were formed during his tenure. The boldface names in today's history books also looked to the older Hanson, in his 60s, to guide the in forming the new country. "The American icons of the Revolutionary period -- Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Franklin, [and] others -- looked to John Hanson as the one [who] twice saved the nation and also to Hanson's way with people," Michael said. "When no one else could do it, he persuaded the six states with the western lands to cede the western lands." Hanson also established Thanksgiving as the first official holiday in the U.S., according to Michael. "Thanksgiving, as an observance, had been recognized since the days of the pilgrims," Michael explained. "But it fell to John Hanson to establish Thanksgiving as an official annual observed holiday." The holiday was not celebrated by all states on the same day until 1863, under a proclamation from President Abraham Lincoln, according to at least one historian. It was fixed as the final Thursday of every November in an attempt to foster unity during the Civil War.

The annual feast became a paid holiday in 1941, under a joint resolution of Congress signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Hanson died only days after his only term as President ended, and many soon forgot him. His Maryland home was torn down in the 1980s and later replaced with a replica, according to Yahoo. The national treasure's burial site is now a parking lot. Related links: Presidential Firsts - American Presidents Firsts and Facts POTUS Portraits Presidential Firsts Presidential Firsts. From the first American President George Washington to the current and first African American President in United States History, Barack Obama. PRESIDENT & More Facts George Washington First American President of the United States First future President to become a prisoner of war. Washington was Captured in the French and Indian War First President to Marry a widow Was the only President to not live in Washington D.C.

First President to be depicted upon a United States postage stamp First President to Veto a Bill First President whose son also became the President of the United States First President to be inaugurated by a Chief Justice of the Supreme Court First President to reach the age of 90 First President to be a widower upon inauguration First President who was a Governor of a state First President who had served the cabinet post of Secretary of State First President who was elected by the House Of Representatives First President who also served in Congress First President, as Commander-in-Chief, to lead the nation in war. The War of 1812 The first Inaugural Ball was held the evening after the swearing-in ceremony The last surviving signer of the United States Constitution First President whose daughter was married in the White House First President to ride on a steam boat First Senator to be President of the United States First President whose father was also President of the United States First President whose father signed the First President who was married abroad First President whose son was married in the White House Only President who served in the House of Representatives after the Presidency First President born in a log cabin First President to marry a divorced woman Youngest future President to become a prisoner of war.

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(1981-Present) 34 years First President born in Illinois First President to have been divorced First President to appoint a woman Justice to the United States Supreme Court (Sandra Day O-Connor) First President to have been a union leader (President of the Screen Actors Guild) The Oldest President to take office and the oldest upon leaving office Ronald Reagan had the highest number of electoral votes in United States election history, 525 out of 538 First President who served as the Ambassador to the United Nations First President who served as the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (C.I.A.) First President to become acting President First President born in Arkansas First President to participate in a live Internet chat First President to appoint the First Lady the head of a presidential commission First President to be named in a sexual harassment suit Second President to be Impeached but the first elected president to be Impeached. President Clinton's impeachment First President to use the Line-Item Veto First President to be born in Connecticut First President to have an M.B.A Degree Second President who was a son of a former President.

Bush's father was President 41 George Herbert Walker Bush First African-American President of the United States Barack Obama is the First President to publicly acknowledge the existence of Area 51 in Nevada The First President Of the United States Was A Black Man (John Hanson) The First President Of the United States Was A Black Man (John Hanson) The TMB ^ | January 2007 | Thaddeus Matthews Posted on 01/22/2007 2:38:46 PM PST by mcg2000 Let me start black history month a few weeks early. Barack Obama has plans of running for President of the United States, But will he be the first Black President or the 8th Black President? I know this posting will stir controversty but George Washington was not the first President of the U.S. Let's take a look at history. A "Black" Man, A Moor, John Hanson Was the First President of the United States! 1781-1782 A.D.??? George Washington was really the 8th President of the United States! George Washington was not the first President of the United States.

In fact, the first President of the United States was one John Hanson. Don't go checking the encyclopedia for this guy's name - he is one of those great men that are lost to history. If you're extremely lucky, you may actually find a brief mention of his name. The new country was actually formed on March 1, 1781 with the adoption of The Articles of Confederation. This document was actually proposed on June 11, 1776, but not agreed upon by Congress until November 15, 1777. Maryland refused to sign this document until Virginia and New York ceded their western lands (Maryland was afraid that these states would gain too much power in the new government from such large amounts of land). Once the signing took place in 1781, a President was needed to run the country. John Hanson was chosen unanimously by Congress (which included George Washington). In fact, all the other potential candidates refused to run against him, as he was a major player in the revolution and an extremely influential member of Congress. As the first President, Hanson had quite the shoes to fill. No one had ever been President and the role was poorly defined.

His actions in office would set precedent for all future Presidents. He took office just as the Revolutionary War ended. Almost immediately, the troops demanded to be paid. As would be expected after any long war, there were no funds to meet the salaries. As a result, the soldiers threatened to overthrow the new government and put Washington on the throne as a monarch. All the members of Congress ran for their lives, leaving Hanson as the only guy left running the government. He somehow managed to calm the troops down and hold the country together. If he had failed, the government would have fallen almost immediately and everyone would have been bowing to King Washington. In fact, Hanson sent 800 pounds of sterling siliver by his brother Samuel Hanson to George Washington to provide the troops with shoes. Hanson, as President, ordered all foreign troops off American soil, as well as the removal of all foreign flags. This was quite the feat, considering the fact that so many European countries had a stake in the United States since the days following Columbus. Hanson established the Great Seal of the United States, which all Presidents have since been required to use on all official documents.

President Hanson also established the first Treasury Department, the first Secretary of War, and the first Foreign Affairs Department. Lastly, he declared that the fourth Thursday of every November was to be Thanksgiving Day, which is still true today. The Articles of Confederation only allowed a President to serve a one year term during any three year period, so Hanson actually accomplished quite a bit in such little time. Six other presidents were elected after him - Elias Boudinot (1783), Thomas Mifflin (1784), Richard Henry Lee (1785), Nathan Gorman (1786), Arthur St. Clair (1787), and Cyrus Griffin (1788) - all prior to Washington taking office. So what happened? Why don't we ever hear about the first seven Presidents of the United States? It's quite simple - The Articles of Confederation didn't work well. The individual states had too much power and nothing could be agreed upon. A new doctrine needed to be written - something we know as the Constitution. And that leads us to the end of our story. George Washington was definitely not the first President of the United States.

He was the first President of the United States under the Constitution we follow today. And the first seven Presidents are forgotten in history. To: mcg2000 Hanson, John ADVERTISEMENT 171583, first "President of the United States in Congress Assembled," b. Charles co., Maryland. He served in the Maryland provincial legislature, was active in the patriot cause in the Revolution, and was (178082) a member of the Continental Congress. Since he was the first President to serve the one-year term (178182), under the Articles of Confederation, Hanson is sometimes referred to as the first President of the United States. His duties were, however, merely those of a presiding officer and bore no relation to the duties of the President under the Constitution. See biography by S. W. Smith (1932).

2 posted on 01/22/2007 2:42:12 PM PST by mcg2000 (New Orleans: The city that declared Jihad on The Red Cross.) To: mcg2000 Hanson was not President of the United Staes, he was the president of Congress, I believe. 3 posted on 01/22/2007 2:43:04 PM PST by WinOne4TheGipper (Consult your doctor before taking tagline. Do not take tagline with alcohol.) [ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ] To: mcg2000 John Hanson was a SWEDE! He was descended from those who settled the New Sweden colony in the the Philadephia area--as am I! We Swedish-Americans are proud of John Hanson.

4 posted on 01/22/2007 2:44:04 PM PST by Charles Henrickson (Descendant of Peter Gunnarsson Rambo) To: Pharmboy ping 5 posted on 01/22/2007 2:44:22 PM PST by NonValueAdded (Pelosi, the call was for Comity, not Comedy. But thanks for the laughs. StarKisses, NVA.) To: Charles Henrickson Damned herring shuckers. ;~) To: Lokibob Who would've guessed James Baker has 15-20% African blood?? 9 posted on 01/22/2007 2:55:29 PM PST by mcg2000 (New Orleans: The city that declared Jihad on The Red Cross.) [ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies ] To: mcg2000 This article combines some truth with some nonsense. John Hanson of Maryland was the first "President of the United States in Congress Assembled," as the Articles of Confederation described the job. There were more than just seven of these one-year Presidents.

John Hancock was also an early President. An indication of how minor the position was, is this: Hancock was too ill to go from Boston to the Capitol, then in New York, for the entire year of his term. So, he didn't go, and the government functioned just fine in his absence. Congressman Billybob "Under The Articles of Confederation" Does that mean he was the first Confederate President?:) 13 posted on 01/22/2007 3:01:58 PM PST by HuntsvilleTxVeteran ("Remember the Alamo, Goliad and WACO, It is Time for a new San Jacinto") To: NonValueAdded Thanks for the ping...this is an urban legend. See above. 14 posted on 01/22/2007 3:02:43 PM PST by Pharmboy ([She turned me into a] Newt!

in '08) To: mcg2000; cripplecreek Here is the monument to SWEDISH-AMERICAN John Hanson at Gloria Dei Church in Philadelphia: (BTW, my ancestor, Peter Gunnarsson Rambo, one of the founders of New Sweden, is buried at that church). 15 posted on 01/22/2007 3:03:29 PM PST by Charles Henrickson (Descendant of Peter Gunnarsson Rambo) To: Lokibob He was President of the Continental Congress, and the third president at that. No BFD... 16 posted on 01/22/2007 3:03:57 PM PST by Pharmboy ([She turned me into a] Newt! in '08) To: mcg2000; All What is really scary are some of the comments at that blog. 17 posted on 01/22/2007 3:08:53 PM PST by sageb1 (This is the Final Crusade. There are only 2 sides.

Pick one.) To: Rodney King so are you related to john rambo? It's more like "John Rambo" is related to me. When my ancestor, Peter Gunnarsson Rambo (1612-98), came to settle New Sweden, he brought with him some apple seeds to plant. That tree became known in America as the "Rambo apple." Fast-forward a few centuries. An author is working on an action-adventure story. His wife comes home from the grocery store with a bag of apples. He asks her what kind they are. She tells him, "Rambo apples." He likes the name and uses it for his character. True story. 23 posted on 01/22/2007 4:30:49 PM PST by Charles Henrickson (Descendant of Peter Gunnarsson Rambo) [ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies ] To: Zeppelin Wikipedia is becoming less and less reliable across the board. Too much freedom of opinion inter-mixed with info.

24 posted on 01/22/2007 6:21:55 PM PST by mcg2000 (New Orleans: The city that declared Jihad on The Red Cross.) [ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies ] To: Charles Henrickson He asks her what kind they are. She tells him, "Rambo apples." He likes the name and uses it for his character. True story. Thank God. I would have trouble looking up to an action hero named, "Golden Delicious." 25 posted on 01/22/2007 6:34:58 PM PST by PJ-Comix (Join the DUmmie FUnnies PING List for the FUNNIEST Blog on the Web) To: Pharmboy We were all kings back in Africa too. 27 posted on 01/23/2007 4:57:11 AM PST by ichabod1 ("Liberals read Karl Marx.

Conservatives UNDERSTAND Karl Marx." Ronald Reagan) [ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies ] To: Charles Henrickson It says he was a moor. Does that mean the first president of the United States was also a muslim? 28 posted on 01/23/2007 4:58:13 AM PST by ichabod1 ("Liberals read Karl Marx. Conservatives UNDERSTAND Karl Marx." Ronald Reagan) [ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies ] To: mcg2000 maybe so, but it's a good starting point. i use it for background information and then click through to the sources at the bottom for further (more reliable) information. even then, you have to be wary. 29 posted on 01/23/2007 5:46:04 AM PST by Zeppelin (Keep on FReepin' on...) To: mcg2000 I knew it was only a matter of time... If an entire "history" can be manufactured for Africa, why not a fictitious one for the U.S.?

Not that it means anything, and if it keeps the ignorant happy (and out of a life of crime) why not? wait... 30 posted on 02/18/2007 5:44:37 PM PST by Publius6961 (MSM: Israelis are killed by rockets; Lebanese are killed by Israelis.) [ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ] To: mcg2000 Your wrong. George Washington was the president of the United States. The other 7 people in front of him were presidents true, but they were presidents of The Confederate States of America. To: ichabod1 Tuesday Jan 29 The word “MOOR” evolved from the Greek ‘Mauros’ which means ‘dark or black..During the European Renaissance explorers, writers and scholars began to apply the term Moor to Black Africans in general (Not arabs like they wanted us to believe, africans). A case which shows the strong link that developed in Europe between the word “Black “ and “Moor” is that of non-Muslim Moors. A host of non-Muslim figures are also described as Black and Moorish. These included the Black St. Maurice.

Other non-Muslim Moors include the semi-legendary Sir Morien, known as “the Black Knight” of King Arthur fame and Sir Pallamedes. In 1501 one of the King’s Minstrels was Peter the Moryen or Moor who is described as Black. According to the old versions of the Oxford English Dictionary, the Moors, as early as the Middle Ages and as late as the 17th Century, were “commonly supposed to be black or very swarthy, and hence the word is often used for Negro. In the Arab literature there is little mention of the word Moor. Rather the term Berber is used to describe these non Arab peoples who occupied the Maghrib (Islamic North Africa west of Egypt). The term Berber may have been derived from the Latin “barbari,” a forerunner to the English “barbarian.” Webster’s New World Dictionary states that the term Berber refers to, “any of a Muslem people living in North Africa. As berbers and Moors mixed, the word berber became replaced with moor or black, african, negro, ect.

The Webster’s New World Dictionary identifies Moors as “a member of Moslem people of mixed Arab and Berber descent.” This deletion of “black” or “Negro” from the term Moor is generally recent. Though the word “Moor” originally seems to have been meant to indicate only Black African only, it in time came to be applied to Muslims in general, especially the Berbers. The Berbers were thought to be Half European and Half African, while the Arabs were a people of their own. Some Moors were Christians and fought for Christianity and help Europeans. Some Moors were Muslims and fought for Islam and helped the Arabs. The Berbers chose a side as well depending on what religion they were. Some historians think maybe the Arabs and Berbers that were dark skinned were called Moor as well. Since the word MOOR did evolve from the Greek ‘Mauros’ which meant dark. While the Arabs and Berbers who were light skinned were probably labeled white, mixed or semite. The word Semite is from semi which means half. Half what? True religiously Semite refers to the descendants of Shem, one of Noah’s sons. Yet the word originates from the Latin prefix semi which means half.

“half Black and half White or half Asian”... 34 posted on 02/18/2008 9:14:11 AM PST by lookhere (time to wake up) [ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies ] To: mcg2000 OMG!! LMAO!! I can’t believe anyone would buy into this.. Anyone that knows anything about history knows that John Hanson the first President is WHITE!!! Helloooo!! He was a Sweedish-American... Have you ever in your life seen a black Sweedish-American???? Plus theirs tons of portraits in the White House of John Hanson and he is WHITE!! If you all remember that the blacks were slaved until after Washington become President... Plus all this is only to take swager away from Obama... Obama is the FIRST AND ONLY U.S. BLACK PRESIDENT.. Go to the White house and even look it up online and even read your history books right. The black man didnt even have voting rights until the mid 1900’s so how in the hell is a black man going to be President when they were slaves back then and most of the English were all racist bastards..

LOL Who ever came up with this rediculous lie is full of crap.. Its just an atempt to take away from Obama. Plus all you need is common sense and again anyone that knows anything about History knows that he was a WHITE SWEEDISH-AMERICAN.. HELL LOOK AT THE STATUE ON THIS POST... DOES HE LOOK BLACK TO YOU??? Go back to school and study history before making up some dumb as assumption.. Dan Bidondi [ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies ] To: WinOne4TheGipper there are no “Presidents of Congress”. He was elected unanimously by congress, and if you will read the article, that included George Washington. So I apologize if i sound rude, but please do not argue with something if you have no supporting facts. 39 posted on 06/15/2009 7:14:41 PM PDT by 535klown [ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies ] To: mcg2000 The “John Hanson” to whom you refer was one of several presidents (14, 2-of whom served two terms) of the Continental Congress.

He was, however, president when the ‘Articles of Confederation’ were ratified. While the Articles of Confederation did ‘create’ the United States, it served as a work-in-progress to the U.S. Constitution, which specified how the Country was to work/function. Before it became fully functional, the Bill-of-Right were added, as well as, the establishment of a U.S.President, Congress, Judiciary and duties. Hence, the estabilshment of the 1st President of the United States. 40 posted on 05/25/2010 5:30:52 AM PDT by giacar Comment #41 Removed by Moderator Comment #42 Removed by Moderator Comment #43 Removed by Moderator Comment #44 Removed by Moderator Comment #45 Removed by Moderator Comment #46 Removed by Moderator Comment #47 Removed by Moderator Comment #48 Removed by Moderator To: silverrider First Eight Presidents WHO WAS THE FIRST PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES? I'm sure that George Washington was your best guess. After all, no one else comes to mind.

But think back to your history books — The United States declared its independence in 1776, yet Washington did not take office until April 30, 1789. So who was running the country during these initial years of this young country? It was the first eight U.S. Presidents. In fact, the first President of the United States was one John Hanson. I can hear you now — John who? John Hanson, the first President of the United States. Don't go checking the encyclopedia for this guy's name — he is one of those great men that are lost to history. If you're extremely lucky, you may actually find a brief mention of his name. (It's in the Encyclopedia Britannica.) The new country was actually formed on March 1, 1781 with the adoption of The Articles of Confederation. This document was actually proposed on June 11, 1776, but not agreed upon by Congress until November 15,1777. Maryland refused to sign this document until Virginia and New York ceded their western lands (Maryland was afraid that these states would gain too much power in the new government from such large amounts of land).

Once the signing took place in 1781, a President was needed to run the country. John Hanson was chosen unanimously by Congress (which included George Washington). In fact, all the other potential candidates refused to run against him, as he was a major player in the revolution and an extremely influential member of Congress. As the first President, Hanson had quite the shoes to fill. No one had ever been President and the role was poorly defined. His actions in office would set precedent for all future Presidents. He took office just as the Revolutionary War ended. Almost immediately, the troops demanded to be paid. As would be expected after any long war, there were no funds to meet the salaries. As a result, the soldiers threatened to overthrow the new government and put Washington on the throne as a monarch. All the members of Congress ran for their lives, leaving Hanson as the only guy left running the government. He somehow managed to calm the troops down and hold the country together. If he had failed, the government would have fallen almost immediately and everyone would have been bowing to King Washington. Hanson, as President, ordered all foreign troops off American soil, as well as the removal of all foreign flags.

This was quite the feat, considering the fact that so many European countries had a stake in the United States since the days following Columbus. Hanson established the Great Seal of the United States, which all Presidents have since been required to use on all official documents. President Hanson also established the first Treasury Department, the first Secretary of War, and the first Foreign Affairs Department. Lastly, he declared that the fourth Thursday of every November was to be Thanksgiving Day, which is still true today. The Articles of Confederation only allowed a President to serve a one year term during any three year period, so Hanson actually accomplished quite a bit in such little time. Seven other presidents were elected after him — Elias Boudinot (1782-83), Thomas Mifflin (1783-84), Richard Henry Lee (1784-85), John Hancock (1785-86), Nathan Gorman (1786-87), Arthur St. Clair (1787-88), and Cyrus Griffin (1788-89) — all prior to Washington taking office So what happened? Why don't we hear about the first eight presidents?

It's quite simple — The Articles of Confederation didn't work well. The individual states had too much power and nothing could be agreed upon. A new doctrine needed to be written — something we know as the Constitution. And that leads us to the end of our story. George Washington was definitely not the first President of the United States. He was the first President of the United States under the Constitution we follow today. And the first eight Presidents are forgotten in history. Share John Adams | whitehouse.gov Air Force One John Adams John Adams, a remarkable political philosopher, served as the second President of the United States (1797-1801), after serving as the first Vice President under President George Washington. Learned and thoughtful, John Adams was more remarkable as a political philosopher than as a politician. "People and nations are forged in the fires of adversity," he said, doubtless thinking of his own as well as the American experience. Adams was born in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1735. A Harvard-educated lawyer, he early became identified with the patriot cause; a delegate to the First and Second Continental Congresses, he led in the movement for independence.

During the Revolutionary War he served in France and Holland in diplomatic roles, and helped negotiate the treaty of peace. From 1785 to 1788 he was minister to the Court of St. James's, returning to be elected Vice President under George Washington. Adams' two terms as Vice President were frustrating experiences for a man of his vigor, intellect, and vanity. He complained to his wife Abigail, "My country has in its wisdom contrived for me the most insignificant office that ever the invention of man contrived or his imagination conceived." When Adams became President, the war between the French and British was causing great difficulties for the United States on the high seas and intense partisanship among contending factions within the Nation. His administration focused on France, where the Directory, the ruling group, had refused to receive the American envoy and had suspended commercial relations. Adams sent three commissioners to France, but in the spring of 1798 word arrived that the French Foreign Minister Talleyrand and the Directory had refused to negotiate with them unless they would first pay a substantial bribe.

Adams reported the insult to Congress, and the Senate printed the correspondence, in which the Frenchmen were referred to only as "X, Y, and Z." The Nation broke out into what Jefferson called "the X. Y. Z. fever," increased in intensity by Adams's exhortations. The populace cheered itself hoarse wherever the President appeared. Never had the Federalists been so popular. Congress appropriated money to complete three new frigates and to build additional ships, and authorized the raising of a provisional army. It also passed the Alien and Sedition Acts, intended to frighten foreign agents out of the country and to stifle the attacks of Republican editors. President Adams did not call for a declaration of war, but hostilities began at sea. At first, American shipping was almost defenseless against French privateers, but by 1800 armed merchantmen and U.S. warships were clearing the sea-lanes. Despite several brilliant naval victories, war fever subsided. Word came to Adams that France also had no stomach for war and would receive an envoy with respect. Long negotiations ended the quasi war. Sending a peace mission to France brought the full fury of the Hamiltonians against Adams.

In the campaign of 1800 the Republicans were united and effective, the Federalists badly divided. Nevertheless, Adams polled only a few less electoral votes than Jefferson, who became President. On November 1, 1800, just before the election, Adams arrived in the new Capital City to take up his residence in the White House. On his second evening in its damp, unfinished rooms, he wrote his wife, "Before I end my letter, I pray Heaven to bestow the best of Blessings on this House and all that shall hereafter inhabit it. May none but honest and wise Men ever rule under this roof." Adams retired to his farm in Quincy. Here he penned his elaborate letters to Thomas Jefferson. Here on July 4, 1826, he whispered his last words: "Thomas Jefferson survives." But Jefferson had died at Monticello a few hours earlier. The Presidential biographies on WhiteHouse.gov are from “The Presidents of the United States of America,” by Frank Freidel and Hugh Sidey. Copyright 2006 by the White House Historical Association.

Question: Who was the first American President?
Answer: George Washington