Today, February 22, is George Washington’s birthday.

As we reflect on his life, it becomes apparent that he was an unusual and uncommon man. The things he accomplished in his 67 years on the earth are just astonishing.

He became a surveyor and businessman at the age of 15. He was a hero in the French and Indian War. He was a terrific dancer and married Martha just a few months after their first meeting. He turned Mount Vernon into a beautiful mansion and a business center with a carpenters shop, blacksmith shop, fishing business, and a farm with sheep, wheat, and other animals and crops.

He was unanimously approved by Congress to be the first Commanding General of the United Colonial army. He led that pitiful army from 1775 to 1781 against the most powerful and formidable army that existed at the time. For six and a half years! He won the Revolutionary War when British General Cornwallis surrendered his troops at Yorktown. That in itself, was unbelievable.

Washington surrendered his appointment as general after the war—instead of grasping personal victory, he surrendered his position as Commander in Chief and returned to Mount Vernon, to build it up again.

George was then convinced to attend a convention to be held in Philadelphia to amend the Article of confederation. He was elected to be the presiding officer at this meeting of Colonial leaders—55 of them. George presided as the attendees finally approved a new U.S. Constitution.

To put the Constitution into effect, Washington was elected unanimously by the Electoral College to be the first President of these new United States of America. There was no precedent for being the President. He had to make things up and set a standard for all future Presidents to follow.

Then he was elected unanimously once again to serve a second term. It wasn’t always easy. He refused to serve a third term as the public wanted, and he returned to his beloved Mount Vernon.

George attended his last social and public event on his birthday, February 22, in 1799, when the retired President and General gave away Nelly Custis, in marriage to his own nephew, Lawrence Lewis. Nelly Custis was Martha Washington’s granddaughter who was raised by George and Martha.

George Washington died later that year, on December 14, 1799, before the new century had been rung in. George was 67 years of age. I believe his accomplishments were never matched by any other American President, although Abraham Lincoln comes close.

I hope you had a happy President’s Day!