In 1759, George Washington married Martha Custis and focused on his life as a plantation owner and politician before becoming a key leader in the American Revolution. His military success and leadership led to his unanimous election as the first U.S. president, where he set important democratic precedents, including stepping down after two terms. Though he left a lasting legacy as a founding father, his history as a slave owner remains a point of controversy in evaluating his contributions. President's Day part 3