George Washington, the commander of the Continental Army
during the Revolutionary War, is unanimously elected the
first president of the United States by all 69 presidential
electors who cast their votes.
John Adams of Massachusetts, who received 34 votes, was
elected vice president. The electors, who represented 10 of
the 11 states that had ratified the U.S. Constitution, were
chosen by popular vote, legislative appointment, or a
combination of both four weeks before the election.
Government by the United States began on March 4, 1789.
In April, Congress sent word to George Washington that
he had unanimously won the presidency. He borrowed
money to pay off his debts in Virginia and traveled to
New York.
