http://www.history.com/photos/george-washington See pictures from the life and presidency of George Washington. en Copyright 2013, History.com Sat, 25 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT History.com 2013-05-25T04:00:00Z en Copyright 2013, History.com http://www.history.com/photos/george-washington/photo1 George Washington was born on February 22, 1732 in Westmoreland County, Virginia. He became the first president of the United States. http://www.history.com/photos/george-washington/photo1 http://www.history.com/photos/george-washington/photo2 In 1752, Washington joined the British army and served as a lieutenant in the French and Indian War. http://www.history.com/photos/george-washington/photo2 http://www.history.com/photos/george-washington/photo3 Washington married Martha Dandridge Custis on January 6, 1759. Although the couple had no children, Washington adopted Martha's son and daughter from her previous marriage. http://www.history.com/photos/george-washington/photo3 http://www.history.com/photos/george-washington/photo4 Martha Washington would later become the first First Lady of the United States. http://www.history.com/photos/george-washington/photo4 http://www.history.com/photos/george-washington/photo5 Washington took command of the American Army in 1775 to fight the British for American independence. http://www.history.com/photos/george-washington/photo5 http://www.history.com/photos/george-washington/photo6 During the American Revolution, Washington crosses the Delaware River, hoping to surprise a Hessian force celebrating Christmas. The attack was a turning point in the war. http://www.history.com/photos/george-washington/photo6 http://www.history.com/photos/george-washington/photo7 40 Patriots and 275 British soldiers died in the Battle of Princeton. Washington proved victorious and the British abandoned New Jersey. http://www.history.com/photos/george-washington/photo7 http://www.history.com/photos/george-washington/photo8 Troops were low on supplies, starving, and freezing in Valley Forge. Washington said his men displayed "patience and obedience which in my opinion can scarce be paralel'd." http://www.history.com/photos/george-washington/photo8 http://www.history.com/photos/george-washington/photo9 British General Cornwallis formally surrenders to George Washington at Yorktown, Virginia, bringing the American Revolution to a close. http://www.history.com/photos/george-washington/photo9 http://www.history.com/photos/george-washington/photo10 Following the signing of the Treaty of Paris, Washington retires as commander in chief of the Continental Army, allowing the setup of a true republic. http://www.history.com/photos/george-washington/photo10 http://www.history.com/photos/george-washington/photo11 In 1789, in part because of the leadership skills he displayed during the war, the Continental Congress elected Washington as the first American president. http://www.history.com/photos/george-washington/photo11 http://www.history.com/photos/george-washington/photo12 As president, Washington set a number of key precedents, including the first inaugural speech, the first veto, and the first state of the union. http://www.history.com/photos/george-washington/photo12 http://www.history.com/photos/george-washington/photo13 Washington retired after two terms as president. He believed it was his patriotic duty to uphold the Constitution and pass on his role as the nation's top public servant to someone else. http://www.history.com/photos/george-washington/photo13 http://www.history.com/photos/george-washington/photo14 George Washington retired to his home on Mount Vernon. http://www.history.com/photos/george-washington/photo14 http://www.history.com/photos/george-washington/photo15 On December 14, 1799, Washington died of a severe respiratory ailment. His last words were "tis well." http://www.history.com/photos/george-washington/photo15 http://www.history.com/photos/george-washington/photo16 Washington's success as a General and President led to his face being carved on Mount Rushmore http://www.history.com/photos/george-washington/photo16 http://www.history.com/photos/george-washington/photo17 In 1884 the Washington Monument was completed on the National Mall http://www.history.com/photos/george-washington/photo17