CONTENTS CHAPTER ONE The Reluctant President 4 CHAPTER TWO Unexplored Ground 14 CHAPTER THREE The Nation’s Economy 22 CHAPTER FOUR Home and Abroad 30 Important Dates 42 Stop and Think 44 Glossary 46 Learn More 47 Index 48 About the Author 48
CHAPTER ONE THE RELUCTANT PRESIDENT The crowd cheered loudly as George Washington stepped onto the balcony of Federal Hall in New York City on April 30 1789 People had started arriving early in the morning The crowd now filled the square Some people even sat on rooftops for the important occasion Everyone wanted to see His Excellency take the oath of office to become the first president of the United States George Washington took the oath of office to become US president on April 30 1789 5
