He was "First in war, first in peace", but on December 14, 1799 he was no more as George Washington died at his home in Mount Vernon, Virginia at the age of 67.  Two years earlier he had decided to not accept a third term as the first U.S. president.  He was the man in charge for quite awhile, following up his leadership of the Continental Army by leading the Virginia delegation to the Constitutional Convention, then accepting the job as the first president. 

Amazingly, inns and homes throughout the country continued to make new claims of "Washington slept here!" for almost 100 years.

Today's Birthdays

Nostradamus (born December 14, 1503) would be 506 years old today.  He, of course, accurately predicted that he wouldn't live to see his 506th birthday.

King George VI, father of Queen Elizabeth, was born 12/14/1895.  He got the "King" added to his name when his brother, Edward VIII, quit to hook up with Mrs. Simpson.  He reigned from 1936 to 1952 and saw some major changes: he was the last Emperor of India, the last King of Ireland (until Bono came along) and the first "Head of Commonwealth".

Actress KaDee Strickland (born 12/14/1975) is 34 years old today.  Singer/actress Sophie Monk turns the big 3-0 (born December 14, 1979).  Happy Birthday!

Tags: anniversaries, birthdays, day in history, deaths, December 14