On June 15, 1775, George Washington of Alexandria was unanimously appointed Commander in Chief of the Continental Army by the Second Continental Congress. The nomination, formally made by John Adams of Massachusetts, was a deliberate move to unify the colonies by placing a Virginian at the head of the military effort. Already admired for his … Read more
When news of the battles at Lexington and Concord reached Virginia, Alexandrians—like many colonists—understood that war was no longer a distant possibility. On May 10, 1775, colonial delegates, including Alexandria’s George Washington, reconvened in Philadelphia to organize military resistance. With British troops occupying Boston, the need for a Continental Army became clear. All eyes soon … Read more
As tensions with Britain escalated, delegates from twelve colonies—including George Washington of Alexandria—met in Philadelphia to craft a unified colonial response. Washington, better known then as a planter and former soldier, traveled north with fellow Virginians Patrick Henry and Peyton Randolph. Though he said little during the sessions, Washington’s presence marked him as a steady … Read more
The first shots of the American Revolutionary War are fired at Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts. Alexandria, Virginia, soon becomes deeply tied to the revolutionary cause through figures like Richard Henry Lee and his descendants.