Make George Washington videos

Christmas night, 1776. The boats push off into the ice-choked river. Washington stands in the bow, every soldier watching him. The far shore is lost in snow and dark. The attack must succeed or the cause is lost.

As they land, a sentry raises his musket. One shot could alert the whole garrison. Washington raises his hand — and the world holds its breath.

The war is won; the army wants its pay. Rumors of mutiny fill the camp. Washington walks into the hall where his officers wait, angry and armed. He has a speech, but his glasses will not stay on his nose. He fumbles, then speaks.

When he finishes, not a man moves. Then one officer steps forward — and the moment that could have ended the republic becomes the moment that saves it.

Before the household stirs, Washington rides the estate. He checks the fields, the mill, the distillery. This is the life he has always wanted. A letter waits on his desk: the Convention has produced a Constitution, and they want him to lead.

He reads it twice. In the margin he writes a single word — and then crosses it out. The reply he will send will change history.

New York, 1789. Washington takes the oath on the balcony before a crowd that has never seen a President. He is trembling. He adds four words to the oath: 'So help me God.' The crowd erupts.

Inside, he delivers an address that will set the tone for every President to come. When he is done, he looks at the faces around him — and wonders if they know how fragile it all still is.

Hamilton and Jefferson sit across from each other in Washington's study. The argument is about debt, banks, and the soul of the nation. Washington listens, rarely speaking. He has to hold the center or the experiment fails.

He makes a decision that will satisfy neither man. When they leave, he stares at the door. The letter he writes that night will be one he never sends.