Little did our founders know the immense and lasting impact that George Washington’s approach to power would have, not only on America but on the future of democracy across the globe

• George Washington, despite initial doubts about his abilities, successfully led the American army to victory against the British.
• Washington’s strategic avoidance of direct confrontation with the British and his perseverance were key to the American triumph.
• After the war, Washington made the extraordinary decision to relinquish his military command, setting a precedent for civilian rule.
• Washington’s resignation solidified his reputation as a selfless leader and influenced the development of democracy in America and beyond.

Two hundred and fifty years ago, the Second Continental Congress appointed George Washington to be commander in chief of the newly formed American army. Never before had a war been fought for the principles of liberty and self-government. But here they were, a diverse band of soldiers with many accents and many backgrounds, from cities, towns, and villages up and down the East Coast, fighting for the ideal of independence and the glorious goal of government by consent of the governed.

Perhaps anticipating the appointment, Washington arrived at the first session of Congress in military uniform. Thanks to the British, he had more military experience than most Americans; he had scouted the west, urged the French to leave the country, and fought valiantly on behalf of the British during the French and Indian War.   

By any reasonable account, winning the American fight for independence was virtually impossible. The Americans had no standing army, military academy, or formal military training. Its soldiers consisted of volunteers, formed into local militias of varying size, capability, and commitment. It’s no wonder that Washington expressed his fear of failure in accepting the command, telling the Congress, “I feel great distress from a consciousness that my abilities and military experience may not be equal to the extensive and important trust.”

Washington overcame odds to defeat British Army

And yet, over the next eight and a half years, Washington made the impossible possible. With nearly superhuman patience, he took command of a ragtag band of soldiers and turned them into a disciplined army. At the outset, there were few willing soldiers and even less food, guns, and equipment. The horrible winter of Valley Forge was only one episode of many in which American soldiers and their commander endured grueling and dangerous circumstances with little promise of remuneration.

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Washington wisely adopted a strategy of avoiding the British head-on, moving his troops quickly and then striking by surprise. Faced with the vast expanses of the American continent, the expense of an overseas endeavor, and the relentless determination of General Washington and the American people, the British could not keep up. And their enemy abroad — the French — were only too pleased to intervene on behalf of the colonists to tighten the screws.

Legend has it that in Yorktown, as the British surrendered, their musicians played “The World Turned Upside Down.” For many, the world did seem upside down. American forces — led by General George Washington — had faced down the greatest army on earth. The “lobsterbacks” relinquished their arms, returned home, and left Washington and the victorious colonies with the momentous challenge of starting a new and independent nation.

It was to be many months before a peace treaty was signed. British troops still threatened New York City, and the Continental Army remained on duty, waiting for pay. The soldiers sought a lump cash payment to be distributed when they left the Army. But with no response from Congress, the troops grew restive and threatened to march on Congress.

Washington’s most extraordinary move was to relinquish power

In a now-famous and emotional appeal, Washington met with the soldiers in Newburgh, New York, and asked for their understanding. Reaching for his glasses, he said, “Gentlemen, you will permit me to put on my spectacles, for I have not only grown gray, but almost blind in the service of my country.” The march on Congress was not to be.

Having accomplished the impossible, Washington then did the extraordinary. He gave up his military command.

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As he returned to his beloved Mount Vernon in Virginia, Washington stopped in Annapolis, Maryland, to meet again with the Continental Congress. Standing before the assembled body, he resigned his commission.

“Having now finished the work assigned me,” Washington said, “I retire from the great theatre of action, and bidding an affectionate farewell to this august body under whose orders I have so long acted, I here offer my commission and take my leave of all the employments of public life.” This one act was so remarkable that King George III in England is reported to have exclaimed, “If he does that, he will be the greatest man in the world.” 

Little did our founders know the immense and lasting impact that George Washington’s approach to power would have, not only on America but on the future of democracy across the globe. First, the indispensable commander of a revolution. Then, America’s Cincinnatus — the Roman statesman who famously gave up power and returned to his farm after saving the republic.

Washington’s unprecedented return of power set the new country on a unique path, one that rejected monarchs and dictators in favor of civilian rule and government by the people. Two hundred and fifty years later, all Americans — and untold millions around the world — remain the beneficiaries.

Anne Neal Petri, of Fond du Lac, is the regent of the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association. The association has owned and managed George Washington’s Mount Vernon since 1858 and takes no government support.

Sometimes in football, a player can run the perfect route, make the catch, and reach the end zone—only to have it all erased by a penalty or miscue that never shows up on the stat sheet. The Washington Commanders saw that firsthand in 2024 with wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus

Zaccheaus quietly delivered one of the most overlooked and unlucky seasons in the NFL. Zaccheaus is now entering his seventh season, and his 2024 season was among his best. He caught 45 passes for 506 yards and three touchdowns for the Commanders, matching a career-high in trips to the end zone.

But according to NFL.com’s Kevin Petra, Zaccheaus has landed on the 2024 list of unlucky stats from the season in regards to his production for Washington.

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“Matched his career high with three receiving TDs in 2024 but also tied Jacobs with three TDs negated by penalty,” Petra said.

Those flags came at a high cost. Zaccheaus consistently found ways to beat coverage and finish plays, but miscues elsewhere on the field erased half of what could’ve been a six-touchdown season. For a Washington offense looking to establish rhythm with quarterback Jayden Daniels, those lost points were critical.

Zaccheaus’ journey has come full circle under head coach Dan Quinn. He played his first four NFL seasons for Quinn in Atlanta, and is now heading into his second year with him in Washington. That familiarity has helped him carve out a trusted role in the Commanders’ receiving corps

In a league driven by stats and highlights, players like Zaccheaus often fly under the radar despite making the plays that keep drives—and games—alive.

In 2025, Zaccheaus may finally get the numbers to match his effort. Washington fans should keep an eye on him because the bad luck won’t last forever.

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Stick with CommanderGameday and the Locked On Commanders podcast for more FREE coverage of the Washington Commanders throughout the 2025 offseason.

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• How Commanders’ Jayden Daniels can run away with NFL MVP

• Jayden Daniels hits Deebo Samuel for viral TD at Commanders minicamp

A busy month of recruiting keeps rolling on for Michigan State.

The Spartans picked up a pair of 2026 commitments on Sunday in three-star defensive end Fameitau Siale from Seattle and flipped three-star Ohio defensive back Jordan Vann from Virginia.

Michigan State’s 2026 class is now up to 15 commits with 11 of them coming this month for second-year coach Jonathan Smith.

The Spartans beat out hometown Washington to pick up Siale, from O’Dea High School. At 6-foot-4 and 260 pounds, he’s listed as the No. 51 edge and No. 530 player overall in the class, according to 247Sports Composite rankings. Siale is one of three commits at the defensive front, along with Cory House and Christopher Knauls.

Vann, 6-1 and 195 pounds, is from Middleton High School and ranked as the No. 87 safety in the class. He committed to Virginia in February but visited East Lansing this month and is now a verbal pledge to the Spartans. Vann is one of five defensive backs in the class, joining TJ Umenyiora, KJ Deriso, Brayden Thomas and Eliyjah Caldwell-Hardy.