Establishment of the Federal Government and George Washington's Presidency (1789–1797)

1. First Congress convenes under the Constitution

   Mar 4, 1789Labels: First Congress, Federal Hall, U S

   • U S Senate
   • Congress 1st

2. Electoral votes counted; Washington elected unanimously

   Apr 6, 1789Labels: Electoral College, George Washington

   • Natl Archives

3. George Washington inaugurated as first President

   Apr 30, 1789Labels: George Washington, Federal Hall

   • Natl Archives
   • U S House

4. Tariff Act of 1789 becomes first major law

   Jul 4, 1789Labels: Tariff Act, Congress

   • CBP Timeline
   • Tariff 1789

5. Department of Foreign Affairs established

   Jul 27, 1789Labels: Department of, Congress

   • Natl Archives
   • WH Archives

6. Judiciary Act creates the federal court system

   Sep 24, 1789Labels: Judiciary Act, Supreme Court

   • U S Marshals
   • Judiciary Act

7. Congress proposes constitutional amendments (Bill of Rights)

   Sep 25, 1789Labels: Bill of, First Congress

   • Natl Archives

8. Residence Act selects Potomac capital; Philadelphia interim

   Jul 16, 1790Labels: Residence Act, Potomac

   • Residence Act
   • U S Senate

9. Federal government relocates from New York to Philadelphia

   Dec 6, 1790Labels: Congress Hall, Philadelphia

   • U S Senate
   • Congress Hall

10. First Bank of the United States chartered

    Feb 25, 1791Labels: First Bank, Alexander Hamilton

    • Bank Bill

11. Bill of Rights ratified by the states

    Dec 15, 1791Labels: Bill of, States

    • Natl Archives
    • History com

12. Coinage Act establishes U.S. Mint and dollar standard

    Apr 2, 1792Labels: Coinage Act, U S

    • U S Mint
    • Coinage Act

13. Washington begins second term (second inauguration)

    Mar 4, 1793Labels: George Washington, Second Inauguration

    • Inauguration 2nd

14. Proclamation of Neutrality issued amid European war

    Apr 22, 1793Labels: Proclamation of, George Washington

    • Farewell Founders
    • Neutrality 1793

15. Washington leads militia to suppress Whiskey Rebellion

    Sep 19, 1794Labels: Whiskey Rebellion, George Washington

    • TTB

16. Jay Treaty signed with Great Britain

    Nov 19, 1794Labels: Jay Treaty, John Jay

    • Britannica
    • Avalon Yale

17. Treaty of Greenville ends Northwest Indian War

    Aug 3, 1795Labels: Treaty of, Northwest Territory

    • Britannica
    • e WV

18. Pinckney’s Treaty defines border with Spanish Florida

    Oct 27, 1795Labels: Pinckney s, Spain

    • State Historian
    • Pinckney Treaty

19. Washington’s Farewell Address first published

    Sep 19, 1796Labels: Farewell Address, George Washington

    • Founders Online
    • U S Senate