[Windflier]

...the single act of voluntarily relinquishing power when many were set to make him not unlike a king, is one of the most transformative single achievements of modern human political history.

As a side note to that, when it was proposed by some in Congress that he be addressed as "His Excellency, the President", Washington humbly requested that he simply be referred to as "Mr. President".

Every US president since that time has been addressed in that way.

With that one small act, Washington underscored the concept that the presidency is the office of The People, and that the President is their servant. Not the other way around.

[americanophile]

Indeed. Though I can’t resist calling Washington, ‘His Excellency’ ...its befitting of the man.