Myth: George Washington was the First President of the United States.
Fact: While George Washington was our first president elected under the
current Constitution, he was not the first president of the United States.
In 1781, the last of the thirteen original colonies ratified the Articles of
Confederation. Not long after, the Congress unamimously elected John Hanson of Maryland as President with the
title "President of the United States in Congress Assembled". Even George Washington himself referred to
Hanson as "the president" at the time. Six more presidents were elected by Congress before the current
Constitution was ratified making Washington actually the 8th president.
INTERESTING BOOKS ABOUT
GEORGE WASHINGTON
The Real George Washington (American Classic
Series)
George Washington (DK Biography)
The Presidency of George Washington (American Presidency
Series)
Sterling Biographies: George Washington: An American
Life
Don't Know Much About George Washington
Meet George Washington
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