WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY HONORING OUR FIRST PRESIDENT AND FATHER OF THE COUNTRY..............

George Washington a gentleman farmer of what was described as the Virginia middling class born in Westmoreland County on February 22, 1732, he inherited his family's fortune and their plantation estate of Mount Vernon.  He served in the Virginia House of Burgesses, and in 1775, was elected to the Continental Congress.  He led the Continental Army in battle against the British as a Revolutionary War General, returning to Mount Vernon until the Constitutional Congress in 1787.  George Washington's highly respected personal, political, military, and diplomatic, abilities won him acclaim, and the unanimous  support of his colleagues, who elected him the First President of the United States, the only one of 44 U.S. Presidents to date ever to garner all of the votes of the Electoral College.  Inagurated President in New York City at Federal Hall on April 30, 1789; Washington served two four year terms as our 1st President, until March 3, 1797, when his Vice President John Adams was elected and inaugurated as his successor.  George Washington retired to Mount Vernon, where he died on December 14, 1799, at age 67.  An extensive slave owner, Washington's last act was to release all his slaves upon his death.  As we mark this President's Day weekend we remember his Birthday, 281 years ago and a life of service and leadership that gained him recognition as the, "Father of Our Country"..............fr.tdp