Question

In the second paragraph of the passage, the author writes that Washington was hopeful that "the young nation's best days were on the horizon." What is the best meaning of this figurative phrase

Answer 1

Washington most likely meant that even though America was so young (it had just became a nation) is that the best days were still to come and havven't happened yet.

Typically if something is 'on the horizon' it is still to come, still to happen - Example: graduation is 'on the horizon' for most students.