What George Washington did on this day, 237 years ago, changed the world

By Richard Lim

Published December 23, 2020 11:00am ET

What George Washington did on this day, 237 years ago, changed the world — In the musical Hamilton, there’s a scene in which King George III reacts to the news that George Washington is retiring from public life. Declaring himself “perplexed” by this act, the British king admits, “I wasn’t aware that was something a person could do,” provoking a round of audience laughter. The scene recalls an event […]

In the musical Hamilton, there’s a scene in which King George III reacts to the news that George Washington is retiring from public life.

Declaring himself “perplexed” by this act, the British king admits, “I wasn’t aware that was something a person could do,” provoking a round of audience laughter. The scene recalls an event that took place in 1796 at the end of Washington’s two terms as president. It was the second time that the “father of his country” voluntarily relinquished power.