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Becoming president
George Washington had been selected to be the first President of the United States. -
Congress enacts tariff
Congress, led by representative James Madison, makes the first protective tariff. -
First naturalization law
Congress passes the United States' first naturalization law, establishing terms of citizenship. -
Copyright law
President Washington signs the first United States copyright law -
Rhode Island becomes the 13th state
Rhode Island becomes the last of the original thirteen states under the Articles of Confederation to join the newly formed Union. -
Establishing the capital
President Washington signs a bill into law that permanently places the nation's capital along the Potomac River. -
Revolutionary War debts
President Washington signs a bill into law that directed the federal government to assume the Revolutionary War debts of the states. -
Creating a national bank
Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton with President Washington's support sends Congress a controversial message calling for the creation of an official Bank of the United States. -
First revenue law
Congress approves its first International revenue law, creating fourteen revenue districts and placing a tax on all distilled spirits. -
Naming the capital
Commissioners name the territory within the District of Columbia the city of Washington in honor of the nation's first President.