The statue of George Washington by John Quincy Adams Ward was unveiled in front of Federal Hall in New York City in 1883.
Washington is depicted standing heroically with his right hand reaching forward. The pose is meant to replicate George Washington taking the oath of office as 1st President while swearing on a Bible, which he did on that site on April 30, 1789. Federal Hall stands on the site of the first Federal Government–where the 1st Congress met, where the Bill of Rights were written, where our government was established. The statue was unveiled on the 100th anniversary of Evacuation Day, the day in which the British left New York City.
