As part of the American bicentennial celebrations, a proposal was raised in Congress to commemorate the leadership and historical importance of George Washington by appointing him to the grade of General of the Armies of the United States.[1][9] In his own day, Washington had been appointed and served as "General and Commander in chief of the Army of the [United States]".[10][11][12] but only wore the three-star insignia of an Army lieutenant general.