Washington got a city named after him because he was instrumental in
getting the "Federal City" built in
it's present location, although in truth it was at one time almost twice
as large, including what is currently
city of Alexandra VA. Besides being the first actual President of the
US under the new constitution and
being the foremost hero of the revolutionary war, Washington defining
what it was to be President, an office that is
in many ways a sketch. It could have turned out much different had
someone else been first. Washington
started a number of traditions, amongst them that the President actually
read the State of the Union address, and
that a President only serve two terms, which no one was willing to break
until FDR. Which horrified the congress
so much that they changed the Constitution so that it could never happen
again.
Finally we come to Washington's place in world history. It's hard to
gauge, until Washington no leader in the "Modern" world
had given up hard won power except reluctantly. Washington simply put
down the reigns of power not once but twice, once
when his Officer corps seemed to be looking to proclaim him King or
maybe Emperor. Once after being elected to the position
that is most like a King in any republic, both head of government and
head of state. Napoleon when he saved the French revolution
and later had himself made Emperor of France, is supposed to have said.
Everyone wants me to be Washington...
Bob W wrote:
It doesn't necessarily mean the leaders were presidents though.
Who was the first Emperor of Rome?
Rome was founded in 753BC. The first Emperor assumed power in 27BC, but Rome
wasn't leaderless during those first 730 years.
Why doesn't the White House list those people who were before George
Washington?
And why did George Washington get a state *and* a city named after him, but
Peyton only got a Place?
--
Cheers,
Bob
-----Original Message-----
From: Shel Belinkoff [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: 21 August 2005 01:37
To: [email protected]
Subject: RE: The Photographer's Rights
Hi Bob ... Nope, it's not a trick question. Think about this
for a moment:
The country was officially formed on March 1, 1781 with the
adoption of The Articles of Confederation. Washington was
inaugurated in April of 1789. We were not leaderless during
those years before Washington became president.
Shel
[Original Message]
From: Bob W
Well, this sounds like some sort of trick question, but
I'll go for it.
The
White House website tells me it was George Washington, as I
suspected.
Speaking of which, who was the first president of the US?
--
When you're worried or in doubt,
Run in circles, (scream and shout).
