The first president of the United States was George Washington. He was unanimously elected as the first president by the Electoral College in 1788 and again in 1792, serving from 1789 to 1797. Washington took the oath of office on April 30, 1789, on the balcony of Federal Hall in New York City, marking the beginning of his presidency
. Washington is known as a Founding Father and the "Father of the Nation" for his leadership during the American Revolutionary War and his role in shaping the presidency and the new nation. He set many important precedents for the office, including the peaceful transfer of power, the title "Mr. President," and the two-term limit tradition
. His presidency established the foundation for the executive branch and the functioning of the federal government under the U.S. Constitution. Washington’s leadership and legacy remain central to American history and political culture
