George Washington was the first man not a king whose birthday was publicly celebrated duri

ng his lifetime. Before the colonies declared their independence, celebrations honoring the birthdays of British rulers were customary. After the Declaration of Independence, the American people ignored royal birthdays and began instead to celebrate General Washington's birthday. This custom started in 1778 during the army's cold snowy winter at Valle Forge, when one of the military bands marched to Washington's headquarters and played for him.

When the war ended in 1783, Washington eagerly returned to Mount Vernon. But his peaceful retirement was interrupted when he was unanimously chosen first president of the United States. He took office in 1789 and was reelected in 1792. In 1796, he refused a third term and retired from political life. He died two years later and was buried at Mount Vernon, which one million tourists visit every year. Shortly after his death, Washington was praised in these famous words: "First in war, first in peace, and first in the heart of his countrymen."

To the American people, Washington symbolizes dignity, statesmanship, and, above all, honesty. The famous cherry tree story, which was invented by Washington's first biographer, has become a lesson in morals for all American schoolchildren. The story goes like this: When George Washington was about six years old, his father gave him a hatchet (small axe), which the little boy loved to play with. One day, he tried the edge of his hatchet on his father's favorite young cherry tree and did enough damage to kill the tree. Next morning, his father noticed the damage and ran into the house shouting, "George, do you know who killed that beautiful little cherry tree.., in the garden？ George's famous reply was, "I can't tell a lie, Pa, you know I can't tell a lie. I cut it with my hatchet." His father, pleased with the boy's courage and honesty, quickly forgave him.

Because of this story, traditional dessert on Washington's birthday are cherry pie or a log-shaped cake decorated with cherries. Washington's Birthday is a legal holiday throughout the U.S.A. It is celebrated on the third Monday in February. In some states, this date is called Presidents' Day and honors both Washington and Lincoln.

George Washington's birthday was first celebrated ______.

A．before the War of Independence

B．after he died

C．after he became the President of the United States

D．during the War of Independence