George Washington was born on February 22, 1732 and it is appropriate that we celebrate the birth, life and memory of this great and famous Mason in tonight’s meeting.  I will provide a brief speech about him and then we will have a short quiz followed by a collation appropriate to him – featuring cherry pie.

What is now called Presidents Day was formerly known as Washington’s Birthday – a national holiday to honor the memory and name of our first president, the father of our country and a champion of liberty – Brother George Washington.  We’ve been celebrating this holiday for more than two centuries.  The portrait to the left was painted by Gilbert Stuart, 1795.

George Washington (February 22, 1732 – December 14, 1799) was a central, critical figure in the founding of the United States of America, as well as the nation's first president (1789–1797).  George Washington was sworn in as the first President of the United States by Robert R. Livingston, Grand Master of Masons in the State of New York.  The ceremony took place in the open gallery of the old City Hall (afterwards called Federal Hall) on Wall Street, New York City, in the presence of a vast multitude. Washington was dressed in a suit of dark brown cloth and white silk stockings, all of American manufacture. His hair was powdered and dressed in the fashion of the day, clubbed and ribboned.  George Washington remains as the only president to ever receive 100% of the electoral votes.

As Washington was about to be sworn in, he asked for a Bible on which to take his oath of office.  While the minutest details of the inauguration ceremony had been planned, it appears that no one thought about this particular matter. A search of Federal Hall failed to produce one but New York Chancellor Robert R. Livingston who was also the Grand Master of New York Freemasonry knew there would be one in the Lodge Room of St. John's Lodge #1 a few short yards away. The Parade Grand Marshal, General Jacob Morton, was the Worshipful Master of that lodge and was dispatched to obtain the Bible there. When he returned, events proceeded and the country had its first President.

The open Bible on which the President laid his hand was held on a rich crimson velvet cushion by Mr. Otis, Secretary of State. With them were John Adams, who had been chosen Vice President; Brother George Clinton, first Governor of New York; Philip Schuyler, John Jay, General Knox, Brother Jacob Morton and other distinguished guests.  At the conclusion of the ceremonies, Washington and the others went in procession to St. Paul's Church, and there they invoked the blessing of the Almighty God upon the new government.

Before becoming one of the major founding fathers of the nation, as well as president, Washington led the Continental Army to victory over the Kingdom of Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783). Washington was seen as symbolizing the new nation and republicanism in practice. His devotion to civic virtue made him an exemplary figure among early American politicians. During Washington's funeral oration, Henry Lee said that of all Americans, he was "first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen." Scholars consistently rank him, together with Abraham Lincoln and Franklin D. Roosevelt, as one of the top three U.S. Presidents. As President, George Washington understood that his decisions would shape the future of our young nation and set precedent. He formed the first Cabinet, appointed the first judges, and issued the first veto. He also helped oversee the construction of a new federal city between the northern and southern states. The nation's new capital would take his name, and George Washington hoped it would inspire Americans to put the welfare of their nation above sectional loyalties.

This son of Virginia had come to see himself first and foremost as an American, and he urged his fellow citizens to do the same. More than two centuries later, the story of George Washington continues to bring Americans together. Every year, about a million people visit Mount Vernon to learn about this good man's life. We find the best of America in his spirit, and our highest hopes for ourselves in his character. His honesty and courage have become the stuff of legend. Children are taught to revere his name, and leaders to look to him for strength in uncertain times.

With the advantage of hindsight, it is easy to take George Washington's successes for granted and to assume that all those events were destined to unfold as they did. Well, the truth is far different. America's path to freedom was long and it was hard. And the outcome was really never certain. Honoring George Washington's life requires us to remember the many challenges that he overcame, and the fact that American history would have turned out very differently without his steady leadership.

On the field of battle, Washington's forces were facing a mighty empire, and the odds against them were overwhelming. The ragged Continental Army lost more battles than it won, suffered waves of desertions, and stood on the brink of disaster many times. Yet George Washington's calm hand and determination kept the cause of independence and the principles of our Declaration alive.

Washington is seen as a symbol of the United States and republicanism in practice. His devotion to civic virtue made him an exemplary figure among early American politicians.  Washington died in 1799, and in his funeral oration, Henry Lee said that of all Americans, he was "first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen.”  Washington has been consistently ranked by scholars as one of the greatest U.S. Presidents.

Short Quiz:

How tall was George Washington? (6’3” tall)

What was the first name of George Washington’s wife?  (Martha)

Where did George Washington take his oath of office?  (Federal Hall in New York City)

Who owns the bible upon which George Washington took his oath of office?  (St. John’s Lodge No1, AYM, F&AM)

Is George Washington one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence?  (No)

How many terms of office did George Washington serve?  (2)

Who succeeded George Washington as president?  (John Adams)

Where is the George Washington Masonic National Memorial located?  (Alexandria, Virginia atop Shuter's Hill)

On what U.S. currency does George Washington’s name appear?  (The one dollar bill)

On what U.S. currency does George Washington’s picture appear?  (The one dollar bill and the 25 cent quarter coin)