The First President of the United States?

John Hanson was actually the first president. In 1781, while George Washington was still off fighting the Revolutionary War, the thirteen colonies joined together under the Articles of Confederation. John Hanson of Maryland was elected "President of the United States in Congress Assembled."


All that meant was that Hanson was the chairman of the Congress. But after winning at Yorktown, Washington himself sent a letter to Hanson, addressed to the "President of the United States.

Photo/Link: John Hanson