Who was the first president of the United States?

The first president of the United States was George Washington, who took office on April 30, 1789. Washington is often referred to as the "Father of His Country" for his pivotal role in leading the nation during the American Revolutionary War and for presiding over the Constitutional Convention of 1787, which resulted in the creation of the U.S. Constitution. His presidency set many precedents for the new government, including the establishment of a cabinet and the tradition of a two-term limit, which was later formalized in the 22nd Amendment. This foundational leadership period helped to stabilize the fledgling nation and establish the authority of the executive branch of government.