Washington
This American president’s rejection of monarchs and dictators resonates today | Opinion
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
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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.
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.
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.
4 things to know about the weather:
- Nice Mother’s Day morning
- Shower chance late Sunday
- Morning showers on Monday
- Temperature drop to start the new workweek
Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms! Mother Nature will give us nice conditions for most of the day on Sunday. Expect sunshine and mild conditions for the first half of the day, then a chance of showers near dinner time.
Monday includes a chance of rain, mainly in the morning, then cooler air settles into the area. Highs go from near 80°on Sund ay to the mid 60s Monday.
Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to check the weather radar on the go.
QuickCast
MOTHER’S DAY:
Mostly sunny
Showers late
Wind: W 5-10 mph
HIGH: Low 80s
MONDAY:
Shower chance early
Partly cloudy afternoon
Wind: W 5-10 mph
HIGH: Mid 60s
TUESDAY:
Sunny
Wind: N 5-10 mph
HIGH: Upper 60s
SUNRISE: 6:00 a.m. SUNSET: 8:09 p.m.
AVERAGE HIGH: 75° AVERAGE LOW: 56°
Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.
An 18-year-old who was shot and wounded in Northwest D.C.’s Tenleytown neighborhood on Thursday afternoon has died, authorities say.
Brady Flowers Jr., of Southwest, was the victim, police said in an update Saturday.
Flowers was found shot in the 4500 block of Wisconsin Avenue NW, behind the CVS store. Jackson-Reed High School and American University are nearby.
Flowers was rushed to a hospital with life-threatening injuries and pronounced dead a day later, police said.
Police said 10-15 teens were seen running after the gunshots.
An investigation is underway. Anyone with potentially relevant information is asked to contact police.
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Washington
Governor Moore Continues “Delivering for Maryland” Tour in Washington County, Highlighting Transportation Infrastructure, Economic Development, and Early Childhood Education
Updated:
ANNAPOLIS, MD — Governor Wes Moore today continued his statewide “Delivering for Maryland” tour with a series of engagements in Washington County, highlighting vital investments in local transportation infrastructure, manufacturing job growth, and early childhood education. The governor emphasized state contributions to modernize the Hagerstown Regional Airport, toured the state-of-the-art Hitachi Rail facility, and celebrated the opening of a new child care center in the South End of Hagerstown funded by the administration’s historic ENOUGH Initiative.
“From investing $1.5 million to update Hagerstown Regional Airport’s aging control tower to supporting 1,300 jobs at Hitachi Rail, the Moore-Miller administration is delivering for Hagerstown, Washington County, and Western Maryland,” said Gov. Moore. “Through our administration’s ENOUGH Initiative partnerships and investments, we’ve tripled child care capacity in the South End of Hagerstown — because no parents should be forced to pick between staying in the workforce or securing quality care for their kids.”
The governor began the day at the Hagerstown Regional Airport, touring the Air Traffic Control Tower and airport grounds. During the visit, Governor Moore highlighted the State’s $1.5 million Fiscal Year 2027 investment to complete the design for a critical replacement of the airport’s aging air traffic control facility. As a primary airport in the Maryland Aviation System Plan, the Hagerstown Regional Airport is a vital economic engine for Washington County, supporting more than 1,800 jobs and generating over $140 million in local business revenue.
Following the airport tour, Governor Moore visited the Hitachi Rail STS facility alongside Congresswoman April McClain Delaney, Senator Mike McKay, Senator Paul Corderman and state transportation leaders. The governor toured the factory floor and rode a test train to observe the manufacturing process. Opened in September 2025 with the support of a $1.6 million state conditional loan, the 307,000-square-foot, carbon-neutral facility is a $100 million capital investment by Hitachi. The factory supports 1,300 jobs — including 460 newly created jobs — and is actively manufacturing railcars for both the Maryland Transit Administration and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.
“Hitachi Rail has built a cutting-edge model for advanced manufacturing here in Western Maryland which is focused on delivering clean, safe, efficient regional transportation across our state and the rest of the country,” said Congresswoman April McClain Delaney. “This facility is powered by Maryland’s second-to-none workforce and world-class innovation environment. I’m proud to work with Governor Moore and our public, private, and philanthropic partners to drive global investment that supports jobs and economic growth along our I-270 Tech Corridor.”
Governor Moore concluded the day at the Children’s Learning and Empowerment Center in the South End of Hagerstown, where he met with parents, children, and community leaders. During the visit, the Governor highlighted the administration’s ENOUGH Initiative, which provided critical support for the center’s opening. The new facility is a major win for the community, tripling local childcare capacity with 24 new slots and generating six new early childhood education jobs.
The Children’s Learning and Empowerment Center’s opening was accelerated by a $100,000 investment from San Mar Family & Community Services, the ENOUGH grantee in Hagerstown. ENOUGH grant funding was also supplemented by a $100,000 philanthropic contribution from the Bainum Family Foundation — a member of the ENOUGH Alliance — to complete necessary facility upgrades. The center’s completion underscores the strength of the ENOUGH Initiative’s public-private partnerships to deliver on community priorities and work towards ending child poverty.
Governor Moore’s visit to Washington County follows the third stop of his “Delivering for Maryland” tour in Montgomery County, where he marked a historic milestone by installing the final segment of rail for the Purple Line. This installation completes the 16.2-mile light rail corridor connecting Bethesda and New Carrollton, with passenger service expected to begin in late 2027. The governor also visited Max’s Best Ice Cream in Bethesda, a local business dedicated to creating meaningful employment opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through the Best Buddies Jobs program.
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