On this day in 1789, the first presidential electors are selected. Just a few weeks later, the Electoral College would elect George Washington as the nation’s first President. Perhaps you know that Washington’s election was unanimous, but do you know about the unusual decisions made by state legislatures that year? The states engaged in independent decision-making that seems strange to modern Americans. The founding generation, however, knew that it was all part and parcel of

On this day in 1795, George Washington issues a proclamation, calling for a day of public Thanksgiving and prayer. He was relieved and grateful that the so-called Whiskey Rebellion had finally come to an end.   That rebellion had “wantonly threatened” America, Washington knew.   The American government was then still very young, of course, and it had been looking for ways to raise revenue. One of the methods settled upon was an excise tax on whiskey. This tax was imposed in 1

On this day in 1789, George Washington returns from his first presidential tour. Our first President thought it important to visit every part of the country during his time in office. Surely a visit from the much-loved President would help unify the country under its new government and its new Constitution. Washington left New York City on October 15, 1789, not too long after the first Congress adjourned on September 29. This first trip would weave its way through New Englan

On this day in 1796, George Washington bids the nation farewell. He was retiring from the presidency and making his last exit from public...

On this day in 1784, the State of Franklin declares its independence from North Carolina. Did you know that a state named Franklin could...

On this day in 1792, George Washington signs an act to establish a post office. You would not recognize the 1700s version of the United...

On this day in 1795, General Mad Anthony Wayne writes a letter to Henry Knox. He was livid! He’d just discovered that another American...

On this day in 1789, the first inaugural ball is held. It wasn’t quite what we think of as a presidential ball, but it was a celebration,...

On this day in 1789, George Washington receives a letter from his friend Henry Knox. The two had been awaiting the outcome of our...

On this day in 1790, the United States Supreme Court meets for the first time. Okay, technically, it tried to meet. Three of the then-new...

On this day in 1800, President John Adams becomes the first President to officially take up residence in Washington, D.C. Much of the city was still under construction, and the White House wasn’t even finished yet! Maybe it is unsurprising that Adams didn’t stay too long before heading home for a long visit in Massachusetts? David McCullough describes the scene that confronted Adams when he reached Washington on that day in June: A view of colonnades later added by Thomas Jef

On this day in 1791, George Washington begins a 3-month tour of the Southern states. As the first President, Washington considered it...

On this day in 1788, Fisher Ames addresses delegates at the Massachusetts state ratifying convention. Would his state ratify the U.S....

On this day in 1789, George Washington is inaugurated as the first President of the United States. The inauguration occurred in New York:...

On this day in 1785, George Washington receives commissioners from Virginia and Maryland. The gathering came to be known as the Mount...

On this day in 1798, trouble brews in the United States Congress. Bitter feelings would ultimately lead to an open brawl on the floor of...

During this week in 1785, the Confederation Congress relocates from New Jersey to New York. Did you know that Congress changed its...

On this day in 1789, North Carolina becomes the 12th state to join the Union. The state was pretty late to the party. By November 1789,...

On this day in 1790, George Washington signs a law designating an area near the Potomac River as America’s new national capital. The law...

On this day in 1793, members of George Washington’s cabinet send him memos regarding the so-called “Citizen Genêt Affair.” Have you ever...