Revolution@250: Washington's Resignation

Today we’re traveling back to December 23rd, 1783, to the Maryland State House in Annapolis, a quiet moment that spoke louder than any battle: General George Washington’s resignation of his military commission.

It’s easy to remember Washington as the victorious commander of the Continental Army, but what he did after the war was just as revolutionary. When he handed back his commission to Congress, he voluntarily gave up power, something almost unheard of in the 18th century, especially for a man who could have ruled as a king.

In today’s episode, w...