On This Day, January 7 1789

On this day, January 7th, 1789, the newly formed United States Of America elects its first president, George Washington, through the electoral college system. Back in this age, only white men who owned property could vote. Today, the system has been changed so that anybody who is a registered citizen of the United States and is over the age of 18 can vote. Washington was also elected through the electoral college system. Back in this era, the United States was a newly formed nation, and it needed a leader. However, instead of picking a king like their previous British oppressors, the new nation decided to elect a president who had only limited power in a moderated government. When Washington won the election, and was inaugurated, the nation finally had a leader to look up to, a leader who wouldn't oppress them, as the British did. Washington had already proven his worth to the nation during the Revolution, where he served as a general, and led the colonists to victory against Britain, and helped the new nation gain its independence. 

Even today, the system of electing a president remains mostly the same, the only things that have majorly changed since the 1700's is the rights of who can vote. Since Washington, there have been 43 presidents. Each one elected in the same way. However, one system that causes controversy is the electoral college system. While some support it and some oppose it, it has still been in use despite efforts to stop it. The electoral college system can sometimes allow a president to win an election even if the candidate did not receive the majority of popular votes. This is the main argument for those who oppose the electoral college system, and it is partially true. Despite all these controversies, this even still retains its important political and historical significance even today. Washington has gone down in American history as a great military leader, a great political leader, and a great man of morals and respect. Some even go as far as to say that Washington was the best president we've had, and while thats debatable, the importance of it all remains the same.