Preceden

Washington and Adams

George Washington

Birth

February 22 1732

Born in Westmoreland County, Virginia

Surveyor

1749

Became Official Surveyor for Culpeper County, Virginia

Marriage

January 6 1759

Married Mrs. Martha Dandridge Custis

Declaration of Independence

July 4 1776

The Declaration of Independence was signed by the Continental Congress.

Foreign Affairs

1789

Congress established the Department of Foreign Affairs (now the Department of State)

Presidency

1789 - 1797

Elected first President of the United States

U.S. Capitol

1790

Washington approved plans for the U.S. Capitol.

Bank of the U.S.

1791

Congress chartered the Bank of the United States.

Bill of Rights

December 15, 1791

The Bill of Rights became law. The first 10 amendments to the Constitution of the United States guarantee basic liberties to Americans.

Whiskey Rebellion

1794

The Whisky Rebellion brought the first test of Federal power. Washington sent troops to crush an uprising by Pennsylvania farmers who refused to pay a federal whisky tax.

Jay Treaty

1795

Washington signed the unpopular Jay Treaty to maintain trade with Great Britain.

Death

December 14 1799

Died at Mount Vernon at the age of 67

John Adams

Birth

October 30 1735

Born in Massachusetts on October 30, 1735

Marriage

1764

John Adams married Abigail Smith

Popularity

1765

John Adams became a public figure by writing against the Stamp Act in 1765

Delegate

1774

Elected as a delegate into the Continental Congress

Declaration

1776

Adams helped draft and then signed the Declaration of Independence

Presidency

1796 - 1800

Defeated Thomas Jefferson in 1796 then lost in his reelection campaign against Jefferson

XYZ affair

1797 - 1798

Adams' act of foreign Policy where he attempted to calm relation between the U.S. and France

Alien and Sedition Acts

1798

John Adams signed in the Alien and Sedition Acts in 1798

Death

1826

Adams died in 1826 at 91 years old