Washington Created His First Cabinet in 1789

George Washington established his first cabinet in 1789.

• Thomas Jefferson became Secretary of State.
• John Jay was appointed the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
• Samuel Osgood was the first Postmaster.
• Edmund J. Randolph was made Attorney General.
• Henry Knox had become Secretary of War on September 12, 1789. The position was renamed Secretary of Defense in 1949.

Today the President’s cabinet is comprised of the Vice President and fifteen heads of departments. Children can learn more at: https://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/cabinet.