George Washington

George Washington was born in 1732. He grew up in Virginia.

People tell a story about George. He cut down a cherry tree. His dad cried, “Who did this?” George said, “I cannot lie. I did.” Is this true? No one knows. A War Hero In 1774, George went to the First Continental (kon‑tn-EN-tl) Congress. It was a meeting. The colonists chose to stop buying things from Britain.

George went to the Second Continental Congress. He was put in charge of the colonial army. He led this army in the American Revolution (rev-uh-LOO-shuhn). They fought the king’s army.

George’s army spent a winter in Valley Forge. They ran low on supplies. They ran low on food. It was cold. Many died. But George was a good leader. He made smart choices. After eight years, his army won.

People trusted George. They made him the first president. He did a good job. He is the “Father of Our Country.”

George was president for eight years. Then he said it was time for a new leader. In December 1799, he died. Remembering George George was “first in the hearts of his countrymen.” This means he was loved by many. People wanted to remember him. So his face is on the dollar bill. It is also on the quarter. He has a mountain and a city named after him. He has a state named after him, too. No other president has had that honor.

George’s head is carved on Mount Rushmore. He is honored on Presidents’ Day. It is in February. He has a tall monument (MON-yuh-ment) as well. No one will forget George.

What Did You Learn? How is George Washington the “Father” of America? 38

#50894—Leveled Texts: American Biographies © Shell Education George Washington

George Washington was born in 1732. He grew up in Virginia.

People tell a story about George. He cut down a cherry tree. His father cried, “Who did this?” George said, “I cannot lie. I did.” Is this true? We do not know. A War Hero In 1774, George went to the First Continental (kon‑tn-EN-tl) Congress. It was a meeting. The colonists chose to stop buying supplies from Britain.

At the Second Continental Congress, he was made the leader of the colonial army. He led this army in the American Revolution (rev-uh-LOO- shuhn). His army fought the king’s army. At first they lost over and over. The British army was the best in the world.

George’s army spent a winter in Valley Forge. They ran low on supplies. The men had little food. It was cold. Many died. But George was a good leader. He kept his men from giving up. He made smart choices that kept his men alive. After eight years, his army won the war. 39

People knew they could trust George. They made him the first president. He did a good job. Now he is called the “Father of Our Country.”

George was president for eight years. Then he said it was time for a new leader. In December 1799, he died. Remembering George George was “first in the hearts of his countrymen.” His face is on the dollar bill. It is on the quarter, too. He has a mountain, a city, and a state named after him. No other president has had that honor.

George’s head is carved on Mount Rushmore. He is honored on Presidents’ Day. It is in February. He also has a tall monument (MON-yuh- ment). He will not be forgotten.

What Did You Learn? How is George Washington the “Father of Our Country”? 40

George Washington was born in 1732. He grew up in Virginia. People tell a story about George as a boy. They say he cut down a cherry tree. His angry father cried, “Who did this?” George said, “I cannot lie. I did.” We don’t know if this story is true. A War Hero In 1774, George was part of the First Continental (kon-tn-EN-tl) Congress. At this meeting, the colonies decided to stop buying supplies from Britain. At the Second Continental Congress, George was made commander of the colonial army. He led the army in the American Revolution (rev-uh-LOO-shuhn). His army fought the king’s army. At first they lost many battles. The British had the best-trained army in the world. George’s army spent one winter in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. They ran low on supplies. The men were hungry and cold. Many of them died. But George was a good leader. He kept his men from giving up. He made wise choices that kept his army safe. After eight years, his army won the war.

© Shell Education #50894—Leveled Texts: American Biographies The First President The 13 colonies formed a new nation. Its name was the United States of America. Some people wanted George to be its king. He said, “We have had enough of kings!” People knew they could trust George. They made him the first president. He did a good job. That is why he is called the “Father of Our Country.” George served as president for eight years. Then he said it was time for a new leader. He went back to Mount Vernon to be a farmer. In December 1799, he died. Remembering George George was “first in the hearts of his countrymen.” His picture is on the dollar bill. He’s on the quarter, too. A mountain, a city, and a state are named after him. No other president has had that honor. George’s head is carved on Mount Rushmore. His face is 60 feet tall! He is honored on Presidents’ Day. It is a holiday in February. He also has a tall monument (MON-yuh-ment) in the nation’s capital city. He will never be forgotten.

What Did You Learn? Explain how George Washington is the “Father of Our Country.” 42

George Washington was born in 1732 and grew up in Virginia. People tell a story about George in which he cuts down a cherry tree. His furious father asked, “Who did this?” George said, “I cannot lie. I did.” We don’t know if this story is accurate. A War Hero In 1774, George was a member of the First Continental (kon-tn-EN-tl) Congress. At this meeting, the colonists decided to stop buying supplies from Britain. At the Second Continental Congress, George was named commander of the colonial army. He led the army in the American Revolution (rev-uh-LOO‑shuhn). His army fought the king’s army. At first they lost many battles since the British had the best-trained army in the world. George’s army spent one winter in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. They ran low on supplies, and the men were hungry and cold. Many of them died, but George was such a good leader that he kept his men from giving up. He made brilliant decisions and had loyal spies who helped his army survive. After eight years, he won the war.

© Shell Education #50894—Leveled Texts: American Biographies The First President The 13 colonies formed a new nation named the United States of America. Some people wanted George to be its king, but he said, “We have had enough of kings!” People knew they could trust George. They made him the first president. He did a good job. Today he is called the “Father of Our Country.” George served as president for eight years and then said it was time for a new leader. He went back to Mount Vernon to be a farmer. In December 1799, he died. Remembering George George was “first in the hearts of his countrymen.” As soon as he died, people began planning ways to keep his memory alive. His picture is on the dollar bill and the quarter. A mountain, a city, and a state are named after him. No other president has had that honor. George’s head is carved on Mount Rushmore. He is honored on Presidents’ Day, a holiday in February. He also has a tall monument (MON-yuh-ment) in Washington, DC, the nation’s capital city. He will never be forgotten.

What Did You Learn? In what ways do you consider George Washington the “Father of Our Country?” 44