On this day, 228 years ago, March 4, 1797 (February 6, 1797, the first President of the United States, Washington, stepped down. George Washington (George Washington, February 22, 1732-December 14, 1799), Commander-in-Chief of the Colonial Army during the American Revolutionary War from 1775 to 1783, became the first President of the United States in 1789 (He also became the first head of state in the world to be named "President"), won the undisputed support of the entire Electoral College in two consecutive elections, and served as President until 1797 (term: April 30, 1789-March 4, 1797). Washington served as an officer in the colonial army supporting the British Empire in his early years in the French and Indian Wars. Later, after leading the Continental Corps to win American independence during the American Revolutionary War, he refused suggestions from some colleagues urging him to lead a military regime and returned to his estate on Mount Vernon in 1783 to resume civilian life. In 1787, Washington presided over the Constitutional Convention. The conference established the current U.S. Constitution. In 1789, he became the first president of the United States with the undisputed support of the entire Electoral College. In his two terms, he established many policies and traditions that continue to this day. At the end of two terms, he voluntarily relinquished power and did not seek renewal. Because he played the most important role in the American Revolutionary War and the founding of the country, Washington is often called the father of the United States. Scholars rank him and Abraham Lincoln as the greatest presidents in American history. Washington Like December 23, 1783, Washington resigned as commander-in-chief of the military to the Congress of the Confederation, which later convened in the House of Representatives in Annapolis, Maryland. This was a very important process for the new country, setting a precedent for civilian-elected officials-rather than military personnel-to organize governments, avoiding the emergence of militarist regimes. Washington firmly believes that only the people have sovereignty over the country and that no one can seize power in the United States through military force or simply because he is born into an aristocrat. Washington then returned to his manor on Mount Vernon and arrived at home on the evening of Christmas Eve in 1783. Since leaving his beloved home due to war in 1775, he has never had a chance to return home. Welcoming him at the door were his wife, whom he had promised to return home within eight years, and four grandchildren who were already able to walk, all born while he was away from home. The war also took the life of his stepson John, who died of fever during a march in Yorktown in 1781. When Washington left the military, his final titles in the Continental Army were "General and Commander-in-Chief." In 1787 Washington presided over the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. He did not participate in the discussions, but his prestige maintained order in the meeting and allowed the delegation to focus on the discussion. His prestige after the conference convinced many people, including the Virginia Legislature, of the conference's results and supported the U.S. Constitution. Washington's estate spanned 8000 acres (32 square kilometers). Like many other farmers at the time, despite owning a large amount of land, Washington did not have much cash on hand and often borrowed money from everywhere. When he later became president, he even had to borrow $600 to move to the capital, New York.