On This Day in 1783: Washington Cedes Power
On December 23, 1783, George Washington ceded power by resigning his commission as commander in chief of the Continental Army. In the State House in Annapolis, Md., Washington gave an address to the Continental Congress and other spectators. Eager to be home, Washington returned the next day to Mount Vernon where he intended to resume the life of a private citizen and farmer, ending his public tour of duty. Fate, of course, would have it otherwise for the future president.
Washington’s voluntary resignation of power is a moment of epic proportion in American history, an instant in which an individual who could have easily usurped power, instead deferred to Congress and the citizens of a nascent nation, leaving America in good, capable and democratic hands.
December 27th, 2011 at 11:11 am
King George said Washington would be the greatest man in the world if he retired to his farm, and he was right.
April 26th, 2012 at 3:29 pm
I am glad that Washington did not try and usurp power, i like the democracy of America. i would have taken power, and been an awesome dictator. But, George wanted to retire, and beleived in America, so he stoped and went home, of course, he ended up being elected president. and he even stoped at that after 2 terms, instead of keeping power (like i would have).