American President

We've been reading this week about our first American President, George Washington:

... But the delegates who had signed the Constitution begged George Washington to become the first President. Many Americans were nervous about this new office. They were afraid that the President would soon become a king...

But the fears didn't come true. George Washington didn't try to become king. Congress suggested that he be called "His Exalted High Mightiness" or perhaps "His Highness the President," but Washington simply went by "Mr. President." He only wanted to be president for four years, because the job was so hard. His hands developed rheumatism. His hair turned white. He wanted to go back to his farm. At the end of his four-year term, the people of America re-elected him- even though he didn't run.

Washington agreed to serve one more four-year period, or term. But then he refused to be President again. He knew that America didn't need a President holding power for life! He wanted the Constitution to be the ruler of the land, not the President. Washington walked away from the power of the presidency- something no European king would ever do. When he heard the news, George III of England marveled, "[He is] the greatest character of the age!"

Excerpt from The Story of the World Volume 3, by Susan Wise Bauer