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From the Declaration of Independence:

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor. [emphasis added]

The Articles of Confederation

To all to whom these Presents shall come, we the undersigned Delegates of the States affixed to our Names send greeting.

The Articles of Confederation and perpetual Union between the states of New Hampshire, Massachusetts-bay Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia.

The Stile of this Confederacy shall be “The United States of America”. [emphasis added]

The Declaration of Independence and Articles of Confederation (the first constitution of this nation) established the United States. The Continental Congress elected a President, but this individual was not the President of the United States. After the War for Independence, the Articles of Confederation became operative and, as you can see from the quoted section above, the country, thus established, was named “The United States of America.” Therefore, by definition, the first President of this country was the first President of the United States elected under the Articles of Confederation not the current Constitution.

Nonetheless, I doubt that the students whose ignorance is being criticized in the article at the beginning of this thread named John Hanson as the first President in lieu of George Washington.