George Washington, born at February 22, 1732 in Virginia, was a natural（天生的） leader. He was the first president of the United States of America, and is affectionately （亲切地）honored as "the father of his country."

After his twenty-second birthday, Washington served in the army of King George III of England and was put in command（掌握、指挥） of a troop（军队） of soldiers. In the war against the French and Indians, Washington commanded large troops of soldiers and showed courage that inspired（鼓舞） all his soldiers.

At this time, King George III of England dominated（控制着） the colonies（殖民地） along the east coast. Colonists（殖民地居民） began to want their freedom, and live with a set of rules based on democracy（民主主义）, not under the rule of a faraway king. In 1773, a colonial rebellion（叛乱） against taxes（税）, helped to spark（发动起） the American Revolution. Washington led and encouraged his armies against the British forces for eight years until the colonies won their independence.

Laws for the new country were written into the Constitution and the Bill of Rights（权利与自由法案）. The laws called for a President, and here again George Washington was considered the natural choice. He agreed to serve his country as the first President.