Who was the first president of the United States?

George Washington was the first president of the United States, taking office in 1789 after the ratification of the Constitution. He is often referred to as the "Father of His Country" for his pivotal role in the founding of the nation and in establishing the presidency as an institution. Washington set many precedents for the office, including the tradition of serving only two terms and the establishment of a cabinet. His leadership during the American Revolutionary War and his influence during the Constitutional Convention helped shape the values and structures of the new government.

The other figures listed—Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt—each served as president, but in later years, with Jefferson taking office in 1801, Lincoln in 1861, and Roosevelt in 1901, highlighting their significant yet distinct contributions to American history at different points.