Politics · Activism · Technology · 1732–1799

George Washington — Age, Birthday & Biography

Born: 22 February 1732 · Died: 14 December 1799 · Age: 67

Commander of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War who became the first President of the United States

Did you know?He is the only US president who never lived in Washington, D.C., as the city was under construction during his presidency.

Quick facts

  • Date of birth22 February 1732
  • Date of death14 December 1799
  • Age at death67
  • Cause of deathAcute laryngitis
  • NationalityAmerican
  • BirthplaceWestmoreland County, Virginia, United States
  • Occupationpolitician, farmer, cartographer

Editor's Take:

George Washington is often remembered for what he chose not to do. After leading the Continental Army to an unlikely victory over Britain, he could have held on to power, but instead he resigned his commission and went home to his farm, a gesture that astonished the world. Called back to serve as the first president of the United States, he again stepped down after two terms, setting a precedent that lasted for 150 years. He was not a dazzling speaker or thinker, but he had the steadiness and authority to hold a fragile new nation together. His face on the dollar bill and his name on the capital city show how central he remains to America's sense of itself.

Key Milestones

  1. 1754: Fights in the French and Indian War
  2. 1775: Appointed commander of the Continental Army
  3. 1776: Crosses the Delaware to win at Trenton
  4. 1781: Accepts the British surrender at Yorktown
  5. 1789: Inaugurated as first President
  6. 1796: Issues his Farewell Address

George Washington (February 22, 1732 – December 14, 1799) was a Founding Father and the first president of the United States, serving from 1789 to 1797. As commander of the Continental Army, Washington led Patriot forces to victory in the American Revolutionary War against the British Empire.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

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George Washington: America's First President

1st US president, born 1732

George Washington was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia, on 22 February 1732.

He led the Continental Army in the Revolutionary War.

He was the first President of the United States.

He died at Mount Vernon on 14 December 1799.

Career highlights

  1. 1775Continental Army: commander
  2. 1781Yorktown: British surrender
  3. 1787Constitutional Convention: presides
  4. 1789President: inaugurated
  5. 1797Retirement: Mount Vernon

Did you know?He was born on 11 February under the old calendar; his birthday moved to 22 February in 1752.

Age at death
67
Years since death
226

Explore George Washington's birthday

Questions people ask

Frequently asked questions

When is George Washington's birthday?
George Washington's birthday is February 22. He was born on February 22, 1732 in Westmoreland County, Virginia, United States.
How old was George Washington when he died?
George Washington died on December 14, 1799, aged 67.
Who shares a birthday with George Washington?
Famous people who share George Washington's February 22 birthday include Frédéric Chopin, Arthur Schopenhauer, Heinrich Hertz, Robert Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell and Drew Barrymore.

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Further reading

Reviewed by the Who Shares My Birthday editorial team.

Last reviewed: October 2026