Uncovering America's Heritage... Coin by Coin

Washington $1 Coin

They say that young George Washington chopped down a cherry tree, then bravely admitted the deed to his angry father because he couldn't lie.  Well, we don't know whether that story is true or not, but we do know a lot of other things about Washington's life...including his birthday in February!

We have to remember that Washington was not only the first President of the United States, but the first to be called "president" of any country.  He had to do a lot of things for the first time, and he worked hard to do them well.

When Washington was chosen to be Commander-in-Chief of the new Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, he stepped up to the job.  When the new nation needed a new system of government set down in writing, Washington again came forward.  He helped to organize the Constitutional Convention in 1787.  Washington was the first president elected under the new Constitution.

He earned the title "Father of Our Country" both because of his heartfelt concern for his nation and because he was first in so many things.  And now he is the first president to appear on a dollar in the Presidential $1 Coin Program!