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The Evolution Of The Us Constitution
The Evolution Of The Us Constitution
The Evolution Of The Us Constitution
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Federal Hall
We all know that the humble George Washington was the first President of the new free nation of the United States of America. But do we know where he took the oath of office when he became President? For those who do not already know, the first President of the United States actually took the oath of office right here in New York City at Federal Hall! A presidential inauguration is important for the whole country. Federal Hall has been a site of government importance since the start of this nation. There are historical exhibits inside Federal Hall that was present on the day Washington was actually here! Every President of the United States has to promise to conscientiously carry out the duties of President and to conserve and
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protect the country’s Constitution, but having the very first President of this nation doing that in our own city is a very big deal and makes this a very important event. Federal Hall became a historical site for this very reason. The significant participant at this historical site is none other than George Washington.
“Washington served as a general and commander-in-chief of the colonial armies during the American Revolution, and later became the first president of the United States, serving from 1789 to 1797” (Bio.com). He served two terms as the first United States President. Presidents after him also served for a maximum of two terms with the exception of Franklin D. Roosevelt. Being the first President means that George Washington had the privilege and the responsibility of setting certain examples for subsequent Presidents to follow.
Federal Hall is located on Wall Street in New York City. “George Washington took the oath of office as our first President [on April 30, 1789], and this site was home to the first Congress, Supreme Court, and Executive Branch offices” (National Parks Service). A parade led by military troops and followed by dignitaries and officials in carriages escorted Washington to Federal Hall for the inauguration. This first inaugural parade followed what has become the traditional route—from the President’s house to the Capital. Washington D.C. did not become the Capital of the United States until
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1790. Refusing the titles of King or Emperor, George Washington was inaugurated the first President of the United States, a few years after the Revolutionary War, in a building that stood on today’s Federal Hall. Looking back through history and especially the history of our country, Washington did not want this nation to be ruled by another king and instead wanted to be called Mr. President. He did not want the United States to turn into Great Britain. Washington did not want this country to be tyrannical. He chose to lead the nation for two presidential terms only and made the right decision and thought about the future of our country. On the day of Washington’s inauguration, the corner of Wall and Broad streets was awash with people. Crowds watched from below as Washington stood on a balcony to repeat the solemn oath of office. He was surrounded by officials of the new government of the United States and of the city and state of New York. His journey from his home at Mt. Vernon in Virginia to this balcony had been one long parade, lasting eight days, with town after town turning out to greet him with salutes, bands, and elaborate pageantry. Ladies with garlands of flowers greeted their military hero. They presented him with songs and poems as he traveled to New York to take on his new role as President. Songs, cheers, and cannon salutes filled the air during the festivities surrounding the inauguration. Flags waved and banners were raised to set the stage for the solemn ceremonies at the heart of the first inauguration. The people were very excited for the start of their new nation. Washington’s arrival inaugurated a new era in the life of the struggling young nation. After the failure of the Articles of Confederation, the people of this country had high hopes for their new Constitution and their new President. Standing on the second floor balcony of the portico of the original Federal Hall, he addressed the crowds on Wall Street. He gave his very famous and very short inaugural speech. Washington had the shortest inaugural speech of any President in history. He placed his hand on a large Bible held by the Secretary of the Senate Samuel Otis and the Governor of New York administered the oath of office. The Bible used in the ceremony is exhibited here at the Federal Hall National Memorial and has been used at the inaugurations of numerous Presidents subsequent to Washington.
After taking the oath of office, Washington entered the Federal Hall building and went to the Senate chambers to make his inaugural address to the assembled members of Congress. His first act as President was to make the inaugural address to Congress. Following the address, Washington and the members of Congress attended a service at St. Paul’s Chapel nearby. During the seventeen months of his New York presidency, St. Paul’s served as George Washington’s family church, and the pew where he and his wife Martha worshipped is on view
inside. Federal Hall is important to American politics because it is “associated with the founding of the new nation and the American presidency” (Next Exit History). The new nation is a result of winning freedom from Britain. We set ourselves apart from our former motherland by forming a democratic nation and not a monarchy. The significance of the event of “delivering an address on Inauguration Day started with the very first Inauguration—George Washington's—on April 30, 1789” (Washington). It is important for the new President to let the people know what his intentions are as a leader. It also gives the people a chance to get to know their new President better. “Now, the Federal Hall building serves as a museum and memorial to our first President and the beginnings of the United States of America” (National Parks Service). The current neighborhood of Federal Hall include the New York Stock Exchange, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and the World Trade Center complex along with a few places to go shopping and of course train stations. The Federal Hall of Washington’s day was replaced in 1842 with this current building in the Greek revival style, which served as the United States Customs House and Sub-Treasury and is today a National Park Service site. Historical exhibits inside the Federal Hall include the iron railing from the original balcony where Washington took the oath of office and the Bible he used. Another major change and development in this neighborhood from the time of the event to the present day was that “Federal Hall received a massive renovation in 2006 after the collapse of the World Trade Center in 2001 weakened the foundations of the building” (The Bowery Boys). The Federal Hall National Memorial, which remained open after the attack to give shelter to people fleeing the destruction, suffered structural damage. A widening crack in the foundation was the most visible evidence of this damage. This was remedied by a $16.5 million restoration of the building undertaken by the Federal government. As a result of its restoration after 9/11, Federal Hall is still standing strong today. George Washington left a huge legacy for this country. He was a very modest and gentle President in our new free nation. We should be proud that we live so close to the place where he took the oath of office when he became President. It is important for the whole country when a President is inaugurated. New Yorkers can easily go to Federal Hall and see the exact Bible Washington used and the iron railing from the balcony where he stood on the day he took the oath of office. Although it has been transformed over the years, Federal Hall still stands today as a significant historical location.
"His mind was great and powerful, without being of the very first order; his penetration strong . . . Perhaps the strongest feature in his character was prudence, never acting until every circumstance, every consideration, was maturely weighed; refraining if he saw a doubt, but, when once decided, going through with his purpose, whatever obstacles opposed." (Thomas Jefferson, as cited in "George Washington," 2006, para.19) George Washington is one of the most recognized and famous leaders in all history of the United States of America. He contributed greatly to the establishment of this prosperous country, from leading the Revolutionary armies into battle, to running the country as the first president, Washington has set precedence and example for all who have and are yet to follow. He was a noble man who demonstrated characteristics one would expect from a hero figure. He was not power-hungry, but did things and played his role for the good of the country, for patriotic purposes, to help America become the success it is today. In March of 1783, the soldiers of the American military were restless, bored and in a terrible state of doubt and distrust concerning the newly formed congress of the country. When these soldiers joined the army, they were promised a certain amount of money according to their service, but by the war's end, congress was nearly broke and not in a position to pay them all they had earned. The soldiers planned a rebellion against congress for their unjust treatment, and attempted to hold an unauthorized meeting of the officers on the matter. Washington forbade the meeting, but called for one a few days later, in which he gave his speech concerning the Newburgh Conspiracy ("The Rise and Fall," 2006, para.2). General Washington was a highly respected man among his peers, soldiers, and fellow men. His opinions, approval, and presence alone were enough to validate many plans, documents, and meetings throughout his life, so it is no wonder that even simple words or acts performed by General Washington were respected, and more often than not, taken to heart by his audience; perhaps this is why it may seem surprising that one of the most important speeches he ever gave fell on relatively deaf ears, leaving the audience hesitant, confused, seemingly unaffected by his powerful use of diction, and emotional appeal.
George Washington Plunkitt of Tammany Hall. Everybody is talkin' these days about Tammany men growin' rich on graft, but nobody thinks of drawin' the distinction between honest graft and dishonest graft." With this sentence in the first chapter, Plunkitt sets the tone for his short treatise on New York City politics while Tammany Hall ran the show. George Washington Plunkitt was a senator in New York during the turn of the 19th Century to the 20th Century.
George Washington was selected Commander in Chief of the Continental Army because of his courage and bravery, his ability to motivate and command respect from his followers, and his strategic ability in battle. His reputation as a daring and successful leader inspired confidence and loyalty in his followers. If it weren't for George Washington, it would be a different America today.
George Washington was the first President of the United States of America and realizing this he acted carefully and deliberately, aware of the need to build an executive structure that could accommodate future presidents. Washington's position as the first president of the United States allowed him to set many precedents that are still followed by executives today. Washington believed his power came from article II of the U.S. Constitution. He was very protective of executive powers and did not involve the executive branch in legislative matters. He established the initial implied powers of the president by creating the national bank, excise tax, and assumption of state debts from the Revolutionary War. The creation of those bureaucracies set the precedent that allowed presidents after him to establish and empower new bureaucratic agencies to execute the duties of the executive office.
The Old Custom House located on 28 Wall Street was built by Ithiel Town and Alexander Jackson Davis in 1833.It is made of stone and has a distinctive Greek Revival style of architecture. It was carved from marble in Westchester County, New York. The columns are of the Doric order and the building resembles a simplified version of the Parthenon. The building is of great historical significance because it is the sight of George Washington’s presidential inauguration. The strong Greek Revival style embodied the American spirit of democracy. Federal Hall has been the location of government activity for hundreds of years. In the years following the Revolutionary War, New York became the young nation’s capital. In 1789 the building was renovated and became the nation’s first Capitol building. Today’s Supremce Court, Department of State, Defense and the Treasury all trace their roots ba...
There are many individuals in American History, whom we as Americans regard for their courage and audacity in shaping our nation. We learn in our history classes the great accomplishments of our founding fathers such as Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and Ben Franklin. One other great founding father and our First President, George Washington was one whom we learned much about. We learn in school that he is as a prime example of leadership, citizenship, and overall individual achievement for his many contributions to our nation’s earliest struggles. But although we are taught that George Washington was this man of great disposition, no man is without his flaws. Many scholars have sought to enlighten individuals to these cracks in the Nation’s perspective of our first president. The following composition will give an analysis of literature that shows George Washington was in consistent regarding his views on slavery. Although Washington is well-known for his many political accomplishments little is spoken about his views regarding slavery.
The United States of America was formed by many president's of our time. One of these very influential presidents was George Washington. Courageous, smart and firm. The "founding father" has influenced many people today. He was a commander in chief of the forces during the Revolutionary War, chairman of the convention that wrote the Constitution, and the very first president. He has made very important decisions that still influence our country today.
George Washington, Framer of the Constitution and First President of the United States George Washington was born at his father’s plantation on Pope’s Creek, in Westmoreland County, Virginia on February 22, 1732. Washington was the eldest of his parents Augustine and Mary Ball Washington’s six children. Little is known about Washington’s childhood and eduction. His father died when he was eleven. But most of the stories that make up his legend, such as his honesty, piety, throwing a silver dollar across the Potomac River, are not documented facts.
Federal Hall is located at 26 Wall Street, New York, New York, 10005 and is right across the New York Stock Exchange. On April 30th, 1789, a month after the members of the Senate and the House of Representatives met to count the electoral votes and six years after the end of the Revolutionary War, George Washington was sworn into office by Robert L. Livingston, who was the Chancellor of New York, on the second floor balcony of Federal Hall. Under the balcony, witnesses gathered to observe “the historic event” as they watched Washington become the first President of the United States of
Washington was born in Westmore County, Virginia, on February 22, 1732. He is the son of the late Augustine Washington and Mary Ball Washington. Augustine was a tobacco farmer and a stock raiser. Washington spent most of his early childhood on the Ferry Farm in Fredricksburg, Virginia. He attended school up until his fifteenth year. Washington married Martha Dandridge on January 6,1759.
The soldier’s time to serve would be up in just ten days, the British continued to win battles, all hope of winning the war was fading and everyone was ready to put down their weapons and surrender to Great Britain. However, George Washington was not settling with anything less than trying their best. He kept that little flicker of hope that was still left, alive. The Continental Congress did not see much hope in the war either and turned the responsibility of the war to General George Washington. Washington received a message from Congress saying,
George Washington is considered to be the most significant leader in the history of the United States. In 1775, when the Continental Army was created, he was chosen by his peers to take on the role of General and Commander in Chief and two years later as the President of the Constitutional Convention. His popularity was even made more apparent, when in a unanimous decision, he became the President of the United States. From the moment he was noticed at age 21 and throughout his career, George Washington
As president he was the first to be inaugurated in Washington which was a city he had helped to plan. President Jefferson's inauguration was probably the start of the changes in government. It has been said that his particular taking of office had lead to the simplest speech stating that "essential principals" would guide his administration and would support all states with "equal and exact justice to all". And the actual changes of administration were the most peaceful of all, nothing like those previously.
Washington won the position with John Adams, who became the vice president. He was soon inaugurated. There wasn’t a capital city, so he resided in New York.
"Where to put a nation's capitol?" was the exact question that irritated George Washington and a man by the name of Pierre L'Enfant, city planner and engineer. "The District of Columbia is a perfect site; its in the middle of the 14 states, halfway between Massachusetts and Georgia," exclaimed Washington. Being near to the ocean so that many people can get to it easily. In 1790, Congress passed the "Residence Act," which provides that the federal government will be located in a permanent site on the Potomac River by 1800. Pierre Charles L'Enfant develops plan for capital city; he and President Washington select site for "Congress House" on Jenkins Heights. With a location chosen the only task now is to design the capitol building. (Prolman, 5)