Today, 236 years ago, on April 30, 1789 (April 6, 1789), George Washington became the first president of the United States. On April 30, 1789, the famous American general and politician George Washington (1732¨C1799) took office as the first president of the United States. Washington served as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, winning a decisive battle in the American War of Independence with vision. In 1792 he was re-elected president of the United States, and died of illness on December 14, 1799 at the age of 67.