Yesterday marked the 210th anniversary of George Washington's death, and Michael McNeil has a fascinating overview of the man and his life. Despite his immense importance, notes McNeil, Washington is more of a mystery now than ever.

This year (2009) marks the 210th anniversary of the passing (on earthdate 1799-12-15) of the man who, first as a general in war, won the freedom of the people of the United States of America; thence in peace -- after the ignominious failure of the first American constitution, the Articles of Confederation -- presided by acclamation over the Constitutional Convention, composed of all-time exceptionally clear-headed political thinkers, which drafted the Constitution of the United States, still in effect today (a monumental achievement compared with the experience of almost every other country in the world); and finally served two terms as the first constitutional President of the unified American nation. Beyond these monumental achievements -- which one might judge, due to the outstanding example presented to his successors and posterity, as equal to all the preceding actions of his eventful career -- was his final voluntary withdrawal after those elected terms of office, retiring to his Mount Vernon estate and removing himself entirely from subsequent politics. These actions made Washington him the stuff of legend -- almost deliberately hearkening back to Republican Rome in its grandeur.

Nowadays after the turn of the 21st century, the extraordinary devoted homage earlier eras in America paid to its founding General and President seems a bit mysterious. Portrayals of Washington in powdered wig and 18th century elite attire of the day present a notably quaint appearance today, and though founder of the U.S.A. (which somehow seems a very easy thing to do in retrospect, even foreordained), really (so the "modern," irreverent trendy line of thought goes) what did he do that was so all-fired great? Folk today typically know little of the period or the man, so nothing (or very little) is usually the implied answer -- and since most folks' dilettantish inquiries seldom go further, that's usually the end of the inquiry.

It is no exaggeration to say that George Washington's leadership of the country in its infancy has ensured that we have never had an emperor, dictator or military coup. His importance cannot be underestimated, and it's never too late to learn why.