George Washington

On april 30,1789,Washington ,Standing on the balony of federal hall on Wall Street in New York, took his oath of office as the first President of the United States." As the first of every thing, in our situation will serve to establish a Precedent," he wrote James Madison, "it is devoutly wished on my part, that these precedents may be fixed on true principles."

Born in 1732 into a Virginia planter family, he learned the morals, manners, and body of knowledge requisite for an 18th century Virginia gentleman.