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Check this out! Podcast4kids
A podcast series for kids where we explore interesting people, places, ponderings and past moments from history that shape the world around us.
Listen to 5-25 minute episodes for fun facts, interactive celebrations of knowledge, and cool takeaways.
Appropriate for elementary aged kids (5-12 years old)
Hosted by Amy Contreras, featuring her daughter Cece
Amy has a BA of History from the University of Arizona and has spent her career in corporate Learning & Development, working at global organizations such as Uber, LinkedIn, and more.
Check this out! Podcast4kids covers topics such as historical figures, historical events, history questions, and more.
Check this out! Podcast4kids
President George Washington Pt 2 (President Mini Episodes)
Join hosts Amy Contreras and Cece, along with special guest Bonnie, in the first of 7 mini-episodes focusing on the first 7 presidents of the United States.
This mini-episode starts by exploring the life and legacy of George Washington, the first president of the United States. This is a continuation of Episode 10, which provides a deeper look into Washington's history before the presidency.
Accompanied by special guest Bonnie, our hosts dive into Washington’s monumental role in shaping the presidency from 1789 to 1797. Discover how he established the Cabinet, maintained neutrality during foreign conflicts, and laid down the foundation of American government.
From fun facts about his teeth to lesser-known challenges he faced, this mini-episode is packed with insights about Washington’s presidency and his lasting impact on the nation. Tune in for a historical journey filled with surprises and trivia you won’t want to miss!
Welcome to Check this out as we dive into the first episode in our series on the first 7 presidents of the united states in honor of Presidents day. My name is Amy Contreras and I’m Cece! AND today we have a special guest with us!
Hi, I’m Bonnie!
Bonnie is going to help us with a few of our episodes. Today we are going to spend 7 minutes learning all about the presidency and the impact of the first president of the United states…
Cece: George Washington!
If you want to learn more about his life and his role in the revolutionary war check out episode 10!
Cece: Let’s get into it!
George Washington was unanimously elected president of the united states TWICE! He served as president from 1789-1797.
Cece: Thats a big job!
He established the tradition of serving only two terms and he created a “cabinet” of advisors.
Cece: Whats that?
Bonnie - Great question cece. Check this out!
The cabinet is a group of advisors to the president. The current cabinet has 16 people! Washington’s cabinet of advisors was only 4. They were;
- A Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson
- B Secretary of Treasury Alexander Hamilton,
- A Secretary of War Henry Knox
- B Attorney General Edmund Randolph
Bon - Washington defined how these roles would interact, establishing the cabinet as the president’s private, trusted advisors.
Cece: I learned something new today!
Amy I’m glad! George Washington had a tricky job as the first president because he defined the role for all future generations. He had to figure out where to live, his responsibilities, his social schedule with first lady Martha Washington, his diplomatic responsibilities, traditions, and basically create the job while he was doing it!
Cece: That sounds hard
Amy It was!
Bon True or False: George Washington lived in the white house during his time as president
Cece: The answer is false!
Thats right- George Washington never lived in Washington DC! !
Cece: What?!
Bon Yea! In July 1790, Congress established the capital city of the United States to be located on the Potomac River
This is what would eventually be Washington D.C..
Washington oversaw the building of the capitol city which included, the White House, and the Capitol.
Cece: Whoa!
Amy Yea! The white house wasn’t ready for people to live in it until 1800 when 2nd president John Adams moved in!
Cece: Here’s a fun fact
Amy Washington DC was named after George Washington while he was still alive in 1791.
Cece: That’s cool!
Amy We agree! But building and establishing the capitol city wasn’t all he had to do as president. He had a lot to do!
Cece: Let’s recap some of his achievements
- A There was a war between Great Britain and France but Washington didn’t want to get involved so he issued a Proclamation of Neutrality in 1793.
- B In 1794 there was a threat known as the Whiskey Rebellion! It threatened the stability of the new government. The rebellion was trying to challenge the newly established US. Washington organized a militia force of about 13000 men and personally led them to stop the rebellion.
- A Washington formalized the Thanksgiving holiday as president
- B Washington started the tradition of the inaugural address and the Cabinet, neither were in the Constitution.
- A While Washington was president, Congress passed the first naturalization law, establishing terms of citizenship in the United States
- B In partnership with Alexander Hamilton, Washington signed a bill that the federal government would assume the Revolutionary War debts of the states. This also helped establish the national bank.
- A In 1791 The states officially ratified the first ten amendments to the Constitution
Bon Do you know what the first 10 amendments are also known as? Is it
A: The big 10
B: The declaration of independence
C: The bill of rights
If you said C the bill of rights, you’re right!
Amy George Washington got a lot done but his presidency wasn’t without its challenges.
Cece: Like what mama?
Amy The new US had lots of fights with the indigenous tribes, specifically in the Battle of Fallen Timbers in 1794. Washington sent troops to fight seven tribes.
There was a war between Britain and France, and issues with Spain. This pulled his cabinet in different directions as people had deep opinions on whether or not the US should be involved.
Cece: that is hard
Bon Before he retired from the presidency Washington gave a famous Farewell Address in 1796. He cautioned against political factions and foreign entanglements.
George Washington is remembered as a founding father, general in the revolutionary war, and the first president of the US. He laid the foundation for the United States government and in many ways he defined the presidency.
Amy Here are a few final fun facts
Cece: Tell us! Tell us!
- A Washington vetoed only two bills while President
- B George Washington had teeth problems his whole life! There is a famous fable that he had dentures made of wood but this was not true. His dentures were made of real teeth! Some were his own pulled teeth, the teeth of enslaved people, and teeth he purchased from dentists.
- He treated his teeth problems as a state secret while he was president!
- A Many popular myths about George Washington are false, including the legend of him chopping down a cherry tree.
- B George Washington wasn’t a winning military leader! In fact, he lost many more battles than he won.
- A George Washington was 6’2
Cece: What was your favorite fact?
Amy We could keep going, but we promised you a mini episode so with that we say
Cece Thanks for listening
Bonnie Farewell!
Amy Make sure to subscribe
Amy Sources for this week's episode are mount vernon, history.com, the smithsonian, UVA miller center, encyclopedia britannica
https://www.si.edu/spotlight/knowing-the-presidents-george-washington
https://www.history.com/news/how-did-washington-d-c-get-its-name
https://www.mountvernon.org/george-washington/health/washingtons-teeth
https://www.mountvernon.org/george-washington/facts/myths/ten-misconceptions-about-washington