George Washington: Inspiring History

First in War, Peace and Hearts

George Washington (February 22, 1732 – December 14, 1799) is, I am sure, the most famous and the most important person in the history of the United States. When he died at age 67 he was an considered the key of the American Founding Fathers, was the most important and highest ranking military officer, and politician who served as the first President of the United States, serving from 1789 to 1797.

He also was talented in many other aspects of life and undertook application of many of his talents. He was a surveyor and an explorer along the then broad frontier of the colonial territory. Washington developed landscaping plan so that he could cultivate a variety of trees and native shrubs. He was a successful planter and owner of a large working farm, fishery, wood stand, and estate with commerce to the wider region and world.

Something that Washington did, according to historians, was to privately pray and read the Bible daily—a task that I also hold dear and have done for all of my life. My day does not start without appreciating and thanking the Almighty and to gain daily wisdom of how fortunate our world is, and all who are in it. This bonds me to the man and his character.

He publicly encouraged people, and indeed the nation, to pray. It is said that he believed in a Creator God who is active in the Universe and who is “wise, inscrutable, and irresistible.”

George Washington was a Mason. He believed, as fellow Masons also did, in the Enlightenment principles of rationality, reason, and brotherhood.

George Washington was known to exercise great restraint in using his broad powers. Washington's legacy has endured, since the first days of our national identity, as one of the most influential in American history

"Father of His Country"

"First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen"

A summary of George Washington, by the author and biographer Douglas Southall Freeman is: "The great big thing stamped across that man is character." Washington's character embodies "integrity, self-discipline, courage, absolute honesty, resolve, and decision, but also forbearance, decency, and respect for others."

What better example of a Profile in Character can there be on this earth?

Episode 15