2015-05-26
664
On April 30, 1789, George Washington, standing on the balcony of Federal Hall on Wall Street in New York, took his oath as the first President of the United States.
George Washington was born in a very rich family in what is now the State of Virginia.
During the French and Indian wars (1755) Washington was colonel and commander-in-chief of the Virginia forces and defended the colony’s frontier. During the War of Independence (1775-1783) George Washington was elected to command the American forces to oppose the British troops. He led the army in many battles in which he suffered defeats and won victories. It was a long and cruel war ended with the victory of the American forces.
In 1797 he retired to Mount Vernon. He devoted much time to farming. On December 12, 1799, Washington spent several hours inspecting his farms on horseback, in snow and freezing rain. He sat down to dine that evening without changing his wet clothes. The next morning, he awoke with a bad cold, fever, and a throat infection that turned into acute laryngitis and pneumonia. Washington died on the evening of December 14, 1799, at his home aged 67.
Today, Washington's face and image are often used as national symbols of the United States. Many things have been named in honor of Washington.
Because of his significant role in the revolution and in the formation of the United States, he is often revered by Americans as the "Father of the Nation".
Notes:
oath клятва
colonel полковник
to suffer defeats терпеть поражения
Ex. 1. Find in the text the English equivalents for:
защищал границу колонии; противостоять Британским войскам; долгая и жестокая война; ушёл в отставку; провёл несколько часов, проверяя свои фермы; проснулся с простудой; названы в честь Вашингтона; из-за существенной роли в революции и формировании Соединённых Штатов.
