April 30th: Today in 1789 George Washington was sworn in as the first elected President of the United States. He was offered the salary of $25,000 a year, a huge sum at the time, but declined the pay. It is unknown if he submitted expenses as he did when he refused his pay as the Commander of the Continental Army. These expenses set a high standard for extravagence that has been envied by those who turn in expenses ever since. Good article on how the master did that trick can be found here.

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