People

Today is the 274th anniversary of the birth of George Washington.

From WikiPedia:

George Washington (February 22, 1732 – December 14, 1799)

George Washington was the successful Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War from 1775 to 1783, and later became the first President of the United States, an office to which he was elected, unanimously, twice and remained in from 1789 to 1797. Washington first gained prominence as an officer during the French and Indian War and as a leader of colonial militia supporting the British Empire. After leading the American victory in the Revolutionary War, he refused to lead a military regime, though encouraged by some of his peers to do so. He returned to civilian life at Mount Vernon.

In 1787, he presided over the Constitutional Convention that drafted the current United States Constitution, and, in 1789, was the unanimous choice to become the first President of the United States. His two-term administration set many policies and traditions that survive today. After his second term expired, Washington again voluntarily relinquished power, thereby establishing an important precedent that was to serve as an example for the United States and also for other future republics.

Because of his central role in the founding of the United States, Washington is often called the “Father of his Country”. Scholars rank him with Abraham Lincoln among the greatest of United States presidents.

Twenty-five years ago today, one of our greatest presidents took the oath of office and began changing America, and the World, for the better. The Iranian embassy hostage crisis ended that day with the release of Americans held for 444 days by the terrorist government of Iran, including the current Iranian president, one of the four most dangerous men in the world.

Under President Reagan, “Reaganomics” was born, and prosperity ensued. Indeed, prosperity persists today under President Bush, who has the same perspectives on the economy.

President Reagan’s foreign policies helped to end the cold war, thus changing the world for the better. Many nations formerly enslaved by communist oppression, threw off their bounds to become allies of America.

These websites offer additional coverage of this important anniversary: Blogs for Bush, GOP Bloggers and Opinion Journal.