George Washington was the first president of the United States of
America. His first term as president was from 1789 to 1793 and his
second term from 1793 to 1797. Before he became president, he played
important roles in the military, leading the American Continental Army
to victory over the British in 1783. Washington is often seen as the
father of the United States and is probably the best known American
politician ever.
The likeness and name of George Washington can still be seen in many
places in the United States. There is the portrait of him and three
other American presidents carved into Mount Rushmore National Memorial
in South Dakota. His image is also used on the one-dollar bill and the
quarter-dollar coin. The capital of the United States, Washington D.C.,
Washington State and at least three universities are named after him.
Washington's Birthday was first celebrated as a
holiday in
the District of Columbia in 1880. It was made a federal holiday in
1885. The holiday was originally held on the anniversary of George
Washington's birth, on February 22. In 1971, this holiday was moved to
the third Monday in February.
This holiday is legally designated as "Washington’s Birthday". Though
other institutions such as state and local governments and private
businesses may use other names, it is the federal government’s policy to
always refer to holidays by the names designated in the law.
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