George Washington was not the first president

[lisamarie]

Am I the only one who didn't know that George Washington wasn't really the first president of the US? I was watching Pawn Stars last week and it was mentioned that he was the first president under the constitution but that there were 13(?) before him but they only had a 1 year term. Color me surprised. My grandma was equally surprised.

[pqr]

John Hanson, the first of the "forgotten seven"

[LauraGB]

Uh. No. I didn't know that, either. But a quick google search showed me how very wrong I was.

 

I suppose, though - Washington was the first president elected "under the new constitution."

 

Huh.

 

Thanks :).

 

ETA - Off to search whether they were considered "kings" or "presidents"... (just a thought to soothe my broken ego)

Edited May 30, 2010 by LauraGB

[ConnieB]

But they're weren't "of the United States" because the US had not yet been formed. I don't remember them being called President either, but that could just be poor memory because I can't recall what they were called either. But they were the leaders....and they served very short periods and were replaced by committee when they grew upset with the leaders ideas......something that would be quite interesting today, because we'd be changing leaders on a weekly basis, lol.

[Brindee]

NOw I need to go google this too! :D

[pqr]

But they're weren't "of the United States" because the US had not yet been formed. I don't remember them being called President either, but that could just be poor memory because I can't recall what they were called either. But they were the leaders....and they served very short periods and were replaced by committee when they grew upset with the leaders ideas......something that would be quite interesting today, because we'd be changing leaders on a weekly basis, lol.

 

You are correct, technically the US did not exist so the first president was Washington. The First seven were presidents of the congress of the states (if I recall correctly). Hanson did, however, establish the position of Secretary of War and adopted the Great Seal of the US.

 

Interesting character, but still a footnote to history.

Edited May 30, 2010 by pqr

[Mejane]

I refuse to entertain this notion. We've already learned all the presidents in order, and I am not going back and changing it! ;)