1789
The presidency begins
The first presidential election under the new Constitution was held in early 1789. George Washington was unanimously chosen by all 69 electors who cast votes, making him the only president ever elected without opposition. John Adams received the second-highest total and became the first Vice President. Several electors did not vote, reducing the total from 138 possible votes.
Establishing the new federal government under the Constitution
Only unanimous Electoral College vote in US history
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Curated picksFounding Brothers
Joseph J. Ellis
Pulitzer-winning portrait of the early republic.
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Ron Chernow
The biography that became the musical.
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David McCullough
McCullough on Adams and the early presidency.
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