George Washington was born at his father’s plantation in Virginia on February 22, 1732.
George Washington's Birthday
Now we know that February 22, 1732 is George Washington's birthday, let's look more at his early life:
- In 1735, George’s family moved to Little Hunting Creek Plantation, which was later called Mount Vernon.
- There George spent most of his youth.
- His dad died when he was 11 years old and since he was the oldest child in the home, his duty was to help run the plantation.
- His two older brothers were sent abroad to finish their education, but after the death of their father, there was no money for George's education.
- There is little known about his youth, but it is known that he excelled at mathematics and surveying.
- He never attended college, so his education finished when he was 15.
- Since he felt his education was lacking, he taught himself many things through reading books and newspapers.
- His older brother also helped with his studies.
- Washington became a skilled writer and believing as he did about education, left money in his will to establish a school and a university.
- Since he was interested in surveying, George became a member of a surveying expedition in West Virginia and the next year, he was appointed as county surveyor.
- When George Washington celebrated his 17th birthday, he was established in his career. He inherited Mount Vernon in 1752 and joined the military.
Military Career of George Washington
Aside from knowing when George Washington's birthday is, you might also be interested in his military career:
- When George Washington had his 21st birthday, he probably didn’t realize he would be seeing a lot of action that year.
- He was involved in a conflict that led to the French and Indian war the next year.
- He resigned his commission, later returned to duty as a volunteer, and was appointed commander of Virginia’s military.
- In 1758, he resigned his commission again and returned to Mount Vernon.
- In June of 1775, he commanded the Continental Army and the Revolutionary War lasted from 1775 to 1783.
- After the war, he resigned and returned once again to Mount Vernon, thinking he would not see public service again.
- He was chosen to preside over the Constitutional Convention in 1787 and once the Constitution was written, he had to help it become ratified.
- When the election for president was held, he received a vote from every elector, something that has never been duplicated.
- He served as president for two terms, from 1789 to 1797.
- He returned to Mount Vernon and was taken ill in 1799.
- He developed a throat infection that led to his death on December 14, 1799.
- At his funeral, he was said to be "first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen."
George Washington's Birthday Celebration
When George Washington was still in office, much of the country celebrated his birthday.
- Congress declared a federal holiday in the District of Columbia in 1880 and it was changed in 1885 to include all federal offices.
- Starting in 1885 George Washington’s birthday, February 22, 1732, began to be celebrated by the whole country.
- Many years later, in 1968, the Uniform Holidays Bill changed the day his birthday is celebrated to the third Monday in February. So beginning in 1971, that day was officially the day to celebrate Washington’s Birthday.
- Some states also celebrate Abraham Lincoln’s birthday on that same day, and some have a separate day for Lincoln. Some states include any president from that state with Lincoln’s and Washington’s day, but every state observes Washington’s Birthday on that day.
One of the greatest ways this country celebrated Washington’s life and service was to build the Washington Monument, which was completed in 1884. It is an obelisk that is over 555 feet tall made of white marble and stands in the National Mall in Washington, D.C. It is the tallest free-standing stone structure in the world and honors a man who led this country in many ways when it was in its infancy.