On This Day in 1799: George Washington Dies
On December 14, 1799, George Washington drew his last breath, passing away in his bedchamber at Mount Vernon. Below is an excerpt from historian Jack D. Warren, Jr., who wrote mountvernon.org’s brief biography of Washington:
On December 12, 1799, Washington was caught out in sleet and snow while riding over his farms. The resulting illness progressed rapidly, and Washington suffered with a throat inflammation that made breathing extremely painful. Doctors arrived early on the morning of December 14 but could do little to ease his pain. He faced death with characteristic courage, saying, “I die hard, but I am not afraid to go.” With his wife at his side, George Washington died at around 10:00 p.m. on December 14, 1799. Four days later a solemn funeral was held at Mount Vernon.
As news of Washington’s death spread, the nation plunged into mourning. Major cities and small towns alike held mock funerals. Hundreds of eulogies and orations lamented the loss of the great and good Washington. Although many feared his loss, Washington firmly believed that the new nation had developed the character and strength to survive.
George Washington has been acclaimed for 200 years as the indispensable man of our Revolution. But he secured immortality by insisting that he was dispensable. He asserted that the cause of liberty was larger than any individual.
He wrote, “It should be the highest ambition of every American to extend his views beyond himself and to bear in mind that his conduct will not only affect himself, his country, and his immediate posterity; but that its influence may be co-extensive with the world, and stamp political happiness or misery on ages yet unborn.” This call to his fellow citizens was meant for each of us as well.
