George Washington - 1796 Farewell Address

George Washington
1st US President (1789-1797)

It is not yet officially George Washington's birthday.  That is February 22nd.  And if he were alive today he would turn 281 this year.  In other words, he was born in 1732.

Before he was the 1st US President, George Washington served the United States of America in extraordinary ways.

Not only was he a Founding Father, he was Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783).  And he led the convention which drafted the US Constitution in 1787.

His following was so strong that when he was chosen President, he was unanimously elected by the 69 electors of 1788.  He served two terms as President.  Then reluctantly declined to run a third time.

The result of his retirement from the Presidency was the delivery of his 1796 Farewell Address, which was printed in newspapers across the country.

Then in 1862, in the heart of the Civil War, the US Senate began an annual tradition of reading his 1796 Farewell Address.  In fact, that tradition continues today.  Every year a member of the Senate reads the entire Address on February 22nd.

George Washington provided two decades of highly memorable service to the citizens of the United States of America.  And this legacy of courageous service continues today through the millions of Public Safety personnel - Military, Police, Fire and EMS - who offer incredible protection and security to the people of this country.

Here's to the memory of our 1st US President, George Washington.