When the Constitutional Convention met in the summer of 1787, the primary goal of the delegates was to fix the weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation. Most of the discussion focused on how our new government would operate, not on the individual rights of the people. George Mason of Virginia introduced a motion to adopt a Bill of Rights, but the suggestion was quickly dismissed.

George Washington recognized that a nation with excessive debt would struggle to survive. Washington also knew from experience that all nations did what was in their own best interest, and encouraged America to be a friend to all and an enemy to none.

George Washington understood that for our great nation to succeed it must remain united. Although differences of opinion were to be expected, Americans could not allow these disagreements to split us apart. Tom Hand, creator and publisher of Americana Corner, discusses Washington’s thoughts on unity, delivered in his Farewell Address, and why it still matters today.

One of our nation’s most significant documents, George Washington’s Farewell Address, was not really an address but rather a letter written by Washington to his fellow citizens as he neared the end of his second term. Tom Hand, creator and publisher of Americana Corner, discusses the reasons that drove Washington not to seek a third term, and why it still matters today.

The Pinckney Treaty ended a border dispute with Spain, opened the Mississippi and New Orleans to commerce and helped bring our nation closer together.

By 1794, President George Washington worried America was drifting towards another war with England that it was ill-prepared to fight. The Treasury was broke, we had only a small standing army and no navy, and war with our largest trading partner would devastate the economy.

During his second term, George Washington kept the United States at peace and improved our nation’s economy. But most importantly, at the end of his term, he willingly gave up the power of the Presidency, something leaders at that time did not do.

When the United States Constitution was created, one innovation was a more powerful executive. Everyone knew there was only one man conscientious enough to be entrusted with the job – George Washington. However, there was no guide to follow and no predecessor to lean on.

The Star-Spangled Banner, our national anthem, is a beautiful song written by Francis Scott Key the day after the bombardment of Fort McHenry in Baltimore Harbor by British forces during the War of 1812. This assault followed the capture and burning of Washington, DC by the British. Clearly, our nation was in peril. Key was being held prisoner aboard the British ship Minden when the attack began. Key knew losing Fort McHenry and Baltimore would be disastrous for America and wondered if this land of the free and home of the brave could survive the war with England.