Hint: It’s the same person to serve as the first President of the United States… and no, it is not George Washington as many believe!
The United States declared its independence in 1776, yet Washington did not take office until 1789. There were actually eight Presidents before George Washington, but the very first was John Hanson. The new country was formed under The Articles of Confederation and Congress elected John Hanson as President in 1781.
Back then, the Presidents prior to George Washington only served one year terms, but in that short amount of time John Hanson accomplished many items of importance. Hanson ordered foreign troops off American soil, he also established the Great Seal of the United States, the first Treasury Department, the first Secretary of War, and the first Foreign Affairs Department. And lastly and most important to this holiday, he established the celebration of Thanksgiving to be held on the fourth Thursday of every November.
The first eight Presidents often go unheard of because they served under The Articles of Confederation, which was later replaced by the Constitution. George Washington was the first President to serve after the Constitution was written, which is why he is known to many as the first President of the United States.