Three Georges America can possibly never forget

The United States is still battling the coronavirus crisis, whose end is nowhere near, and the massive protests across the country have further jolted the country. At a time when the world's most powerful country, started showing improvement in tackling COVID-19 crisis, a black man was killed brutality while in police custody, which has triggered the country into a total mess. A lot of commentators are saying that protests of such nature were not seen in recent history.

From every nook and corner, people are demanding justice for George Floyd.

Add WION as a Preferred Source

If one looks closely at US history, at various junctures, there has been some reference to this name: George, and there are three of them that America may possibly never forget.

George Floyd

George Floyd was an African-American, who was killed on May 25 after a police officer kneeled on his neck in Minneapolis, US. The entire incident was recorded in a video that showed Floyd pleading, "I can't breathe". Floyd was arrested on May 25 for allegedly using fake notes to buy cigarettes. According to the police statement, Floyd refused arrest which forced a cop to pin him down.

In the US, minorities have often complaint of unequal treatment and injustices, police brutality, and all of it got triggered with the killing of Floyd. The "Black Lives Matter" movement is getting global support, with countries like the UK, Canada, France, South Korea, and many others denouncing racism. In the US too, more than two weeks have passed since his killing, still, the anger of people from all walks of life has not doused.

George W Bush

The son of former US president George HW Bush, Bush junior, was the 43rd President of the US. It is a great achievement that both father-son became presidents of the US, but what Bush junior did during his presidency has historical significance. It was early days for Bush when the 9/11 terror attacks jolted the entire nation. This was America's worst terror incident, where more than 3,000 people were killed after two planes crashed into twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York.

What followed was a war on Afghanistan and Iraq. The Bush administration, in an attempt to oust Osama bin Laden and his terror group al-Qaeda, the perpetrators of the 2001 attacks, from Afghanistan took the help of the Taliban. However, later along with its allies, the US overthrew the Taliban and al-Qaeda from Afghanistan in 2011. Despite establishing democracy in Afghanistan, the US couldn't eliminate the Taliban from the region and for 18 years, both Washington and the militant group kept fighting against each other. Apart from several thousands of civilians who became victims of this conflict, thousands of American soldiers died too and only this year, a truce was established. However, the Taliban's extremist activities and control have only risen and the region finds itself still in chaos.

In 2003, Bush accused Saddam Hussein's Iraq of carrying what he described as "weapons of mass destruction". The US successfully invaded Iraq, however, no such weapons as claimed by US administration were found. Also, in 2003, when the US mission was almost successful, about 200 US troops were killed. By 2008, in the last year of Bush junior, about 4,000 US soldiers got killed in attacks by insurgents, militants based in Iraq.

Both Iraq and Afghanistan, which saw American intervention under Bush, are still struggling to attain normalcy, and an end to attacks, massive unemployment, and economic woes don't seem near. When Bush was exiting office, the US also saw its worst recession since the Great Depression in 1929.

George Washington

Known as the 'Father of his (our) country', George Washington was the first president of the US. Born in 1732, Washington successfully led the Continental Army during the American Revolution (1775-83), which made him a national hero. The US is currently fighting a war against racism, and history tells us that slavery played a role in it. Washington was born in an affluent family and his family owned slaves. At the time of this death, Washington owned some 300 slaves. However, it is well-documented that Washington was against the idea of slavery and in his will mentioned that his slaves be freed after his wife's death. However, his wife freed all their slaves after Washington's death in 1799.

After the 1783 war, Washington played a crucial role in bringing the common union of all the states and was also chosen to head the committee to draft the Constitution. His leadership, love for peace, convinced all the delegates that Washington will be the right person to lead the union.

Washington was reluctant at first, but later fought the elections that were held on January 7, 1989. The rest is history. Washington wanted the US to run with strength, dignity, and on its national identity. And during his eight years of presidency, he ensured that he acted what he preached. The country remained neutral in conflicts between different nations. During his tenure, five more states got included in the union.

Washington declined a third term and in his farewell address talked on his vision of the nation, which he believed should focus on unity, patriotism, and neutrality. Over 220 years have passed since this address, however, still, Washington's wisdom has the potential to strengthen the nation that is in the middle of great unrest.