Who was the first president of the United States, and in what year did he take office?

The first president of the United States was George Washington, who took office in 1789. Washington was unanimously elected by the Electoral College and is often referred to as the "Father of His Country" due to his leadership during the founding of the nation and his role in the American Revolutionary War. His presidency set many important precedents for the office, including the establishment of a Cabinet and the practices of a two-term limit.

Washington's leadership helped to stabilize the new government and earn the trust of the people following the contentious period of the Revolutionary War. His inauguration on April 30, 1789, in New York City, marked the beginning of a new constitutional government under the United States Constitution, which had been ratified in 1788. The significance of his presidency and the pivotal role he played in shaping the early United States highlights why he is celebrated as the first president.