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Death of his father
Augustine Washington, George's father, dies suddenly of a stomach disorder. George's older half brothers Lawrence and Augustine Jr. inherit most of his property. -
Contracted smallpox while visiting Barbados
In 1751 George Washington accompanied his older half-brother Lawrence to the island of Barbados It was hoped that the tropical climate of this British island would help cure Lawrence of his tuberculosis. The stay in Barbados proved to be a challenging one for both of the Washingtons. Lawrence found the oppressive heat miserable to bear and the climate did not improve his condition. And Washington on November 17, 1751 contracted smallpox on the island. -
Washington Starts French and Indian War
En route to defending a strategic point, Washington and his forces encounter and slaughter a small detachment of French forces, including their commander, the noble Monsieur Joseph Coulon de Villiers de Jumonville. The Battle of Jumonville Glen, as it came to be known, is generally considered the first encounter of the French and Indian War. -
Marriage to Martha Washington
Washington marries Martha Dandridge Custis and becomes, overnight, one of the richest men in the colonies. He will assume the care of Martha's two children, John Parke, known as Jacky (dies in 1781), and Martha, known as Patsy. -
Boston Tea Party
In protest against the newly passed taxes on tea, Samuel Adams and the Sons of Liberty, disguised as Indians, raid the British ships docked in Boston harbor and dump their cargo of tea into the Charles River in an act that will become known as the Boston Tea Party. -
Commander in Chief
At the instigation of John Adams, Washington is appointed commander in chief of the armed forces of the United Colonies. -
Ratification of the Bill of Rights
The ratification of the Bill of Rights happened on Washington's watch, and granted many of the personal freedoms that Americans still enjoy today, such as the right to a trial by jury, the right to bear arms, protection against illegal searches, and free speech. It was ratified on Dec. 15, 1791. -
President
George Washington inaugurated as the first President of the United States in New York City, the nation's capital. April 30, 1789 -
Northwest Ordinance
The Northwest Ordinance was signed into law on August 7, 1789 and included a Fugitive Slave Law as a concession to the South, to ensure runaway slaves would be returned to their owners if caught in the northwest -
First Bank of the United States Chartered
The First Bank of the United States was chartered for 20 years by the United States Congress on February 25, 1791. The Bank was handled the financial needs of the central government of the newly formed United States of America
