George Washington, the first President of the United States, was born on February 22, 1732, in Westmoreland County, Virginia. He came from a family of prosperous planters, and despite the death of his father when he was only 11, Washington received a reasonably good education. His half-brother Lawrence, who had served in the British Royal Navy, played a significant role in shaping young Washington’s character.
In his early adulthood, Washington embarked on a military career. At the age of 21, he received his first military commission as a major in the Virginia militia. Washington gained valuable experience during the French and Indian War (1754-1763), where he served in the Virginia Regiment. His leadership skills and bravery on the battlefield began to earn him recognition.
Outside of his military endeavors, Washington was a successful planter and land surveyor. He married Martha Dandridge Custis, a wealthy widow, in 1759, which further solidified his social standing and financial stability. Washington’s early life was marked by a combination of military service, land management, and the cultivation of important social connections, all of which would play pivotal roles in shaping his destiny as a central figure in the founding of the United States.