Before the United States of America became a country, Mr. Washington was a well-to-do and well respected landowner. In the Revolutionary War, he was the general who led the American Army to victory over the British. And, when Americans elected their first president, whom did they choose? George Washington, of course! Washington was president for eight years, and then he retired.

Congress let Mr. Washington pick out the spot for the permanent U.S. capital city, and he chose land between his home state (Virginia) and Maryland. Then, Congress decided to name the new city after the man who picked it out. That’s how Washington D. C. got its name.

Quotes from U. S. Presidents

The best title of all: an honest man.
George Washington

Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.
Abraham Lincoln

Believe you can and you’re halfway there.
Theodore Roosevelt

Our progress as a nation can be no swifter than our progress in education.
John F. Kennedy