John Hanson

John Hanson was a great man! He was born on April 3, 1715 in Charles County, Maryland. When he was 42 years old he was elected to be a representative of Charles County in the years of 1757-1763, 1765-1766, and 1768-1769. At the same time he was working for the government in other ways. Then in 1777 he became a member of the Congress and two years later on December of 1779, John Hanson was announced a delegate in the Continental Congress. While this was happening all the states had just agreed to the Articles of Confederation. After all the states finished signing the Articles of Confederation they needed a president. So in 1778, they elected John Hanson to be the president of the U.S. John Hanson was the 3^rd president to be elected, but because the Articles of Confederation stated that the President was only allowed to serve a one-year term. He ran for the whole one-year term, which was from November 5, 1781 – November 3, 1782. Then, as soon as he became president the army threatened to overthrow the government if they weren’t paid, but he talked to them and they made an agreement.  Then, after him there were 6 other presidents. Now I know what you’re thinking. You thought that George Washington was the first president and your wondering why you have never heard of John Hanson and the two presidents before him and the 6 after him. Well I can give you an answer. It’s because when they were presidents, the Articles of Confederation didn’t really go very well. Then on November 15, 1783 in Oxon Hill, Maryland when John Hanson was 68 years old he died. No one really knows how he died but some people still remember him today.