This is an Email that I received from Kostia Efimov a very good friend of mine who immegrated from Russia and is the keyboardest for the Virtuoso lead guitarist Daryl Stuermer of Genesis Rewired. Daryl also plays for the super-group GENESIS and PHIL COLLINS BAND -
This is what he sent me:
"Happy 4th of July, guys! Just thought you might enjoy interesting piece of American History trivia on this great day!
Question:
Who was first American President??? And it's NOT a trick question, btw - we are talking about OUR country - not Canada or Chile

))
Answer:
The answer is not very obvious, as most people would think! Technically it WASN'T George Washington, believe it or not! But certainty stops right there!

)) 'Cause we are entering murky waters of pre-"US constitution" history of the US. The title "President of the United States" was coined in three stages.
It's all started with "President of Congress" (or "President of Continental Congress") - the president of 13 colonies, members of the Continental Congress. The term was undetermined (sorry for the pun

))) - it had no specific duration. The first elected President was Peyton Randolph. He was elected THE first American President on September 5, 1774.
Now tricky part starts. 7 years later appears very important document in US history - "The Articles of Confederation". When presented to signatories - representatives of 13 colonies - the Articles of Confederation didn't have a stated uniformed date, next to which signatures would have to be placed. Therefore, all of the 13 documents were ratified at different times. When in March of 1781 all of them were ratified, the official name for "Continental Congress" became "The United States in Congress Assembled" , which elected new President under "Articles of Confederation" - hence first President of the United States (elected under Articles of Confederation) was representative from Maryland John Hanson. He was elected on November 7, 1781. His official title was "President of The United States in Congress Assembled".
Note, that the most famous of all Presidents of the United States before George Washington was John Hancock.
After Declaration of Independence was adopted Continental Congress was replaced by United States Congress, which had its 1st session on March 4, 1789.
On April 30 George Washington was inaugurated President of the United States - President of new officially INDEPENDENT country.
Happy 4th, guys!
Kisses to the girls, hugs to the guys

))))))))
Special K

))"
A Russian immegrant appreciates the USA. What about us?