After leading the American forces to victory in the American Revolution, General George Washington resigned his commission as commander in chief of all America’s armed forces in this speech to Congress on December 23, 1783. Washington embraced the role of America’s Cincinnatus, leading the way into a peaceful nation under civilian authority. 

After being made dictator during a wartime crisis, the Roman general Cincinattus resigned his absolute authority immediately after victory and returned to being a farmer, just as Washington returned to farming at Mt. Vernon.