List of presidents of the United States
Under the United States Constitution, the President of the United States is the head of state and head of government of the United States. As chief of the executive branch and head of the federal government as a whole, the presidency is the highest political office in the United States by influence and recognition. The president is also the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces. The president is indirectly elected to a four-year term by an Electoral College (or by the House of Representatives should the Electoral College fail to award an absolute majority of votes to any person). Since the ratification of the Twenty-second Amendment to the United States Constitution in 1951, no person may be elected President more than twice, and no one who has served more than two years of a term to which someone else was elected may be elected more than once.[1] Upon the death, resignation, or removal from office of an incumbent President, the Vice President assumes the office. The President must be at least 35 years of age and a "natural born" citizen of the United States.
This list includes only those persons who were sworn into office as president following the ratification of the United States Constitution, which took effect on March 4, 1789. For American leaders before this ratification, see President of the Continental Congress.[2] The list does not include any Acting Presidents under the Twenty-fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution.
There have been 43 people sworn into office, and 44 presidencies, as Grover Cleveland served two non-consecutive terms and is counted chronologically as both the 22nd and 24th president. Of the individuals elected as president, four died in office of natural causes (William Henry Harrison,[3] Zachary Taylor,[4] Warren G. Harding,[5] and Franklin D. Roosevelt), four were assassinated (Abraham Lincoln,[6] James A. Garfield,[6][7] William McKinley,[8] and John F. Kennedy) and one resigned (Richard Nixon).[9]
George Washington, the first president, was inaugurated in 1789 after a unanimous vote of the Electoral College. William Henry Harrison spent the shortest time in office with 32 days in 1841, and Franklin D. Roosevelt spent the longest with over twelve years, but died shortly into his fourth term in 1945. He is the only president to serve more than two terms and a constitutional amendment was passed to prevent that from reoccurring. Andrew Jackson, the seventh president, was the first to be elected by men of all classes in 1828 after most laws barring non-land-owners from voting were repealed. Warren Harding was the first elected after women gained voting rights in 1920. History records three presidents – Rutherford B. Hayes, Benjamin Harrison and George W Bush – who lost the popular vote but won in the electoral college and assumed office. John F. Kennedy has been the only president of Roman Catholic faith, and the current president, Barack Obama, is the only non white president.[10]
List of presidents
- Parties
No party Federalist Democratic-Republican Democratic Whig Republican
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Living former presidents
As of November 2012[update], there are four living former presidents:
| President | Term of office | Date of birth |
|---|---|---|
| Jimmy Carter | 1977–1981 | October 1, 1924 |
| George H. W. Bush | 1989–1993 | June 12, 1924 |
| Bill Clinton | 1993–2001 | August 19, 1946 |
| George W. Bush | 2001–2009 | July 6, 1946 |
The most recent death of a former president was that of Gerald Ford (1974–1977) on December 26, 2006, aged 93.
See also
- Founding Fathers of the United States
- Handedness of Presidents of the United States
- Historical rankings of Presidents of the United States
- List of educational institutions named after U.S. presidents
- List of fictional Presidents of the United States
- Jefferson Davis, the only President of the Confederate States of America
- List of Presidents of the United States, sortable by previous experience
- List of Vice Presidents of the United States
- Presidential portrait (United States)
- Presidential $1 Coin Program
- US Presidents on US postage stamps
Notes
- ^ a b For the purposes of numbering, a presidency is defined as an uninterupted period of time in office served by one person. For example, George Washington served two consecutive terms and is counted as the first president (not the first and second). Upon the resignation of 37th president Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford became the 38th president even though he simply served out the remainder of Nixon's second term and was never elected to the presidency in his own right. Grover Cleveland was both the 22nd president and the 24th president, his two terms having been non-consecutive. A period during which a vice-president temporarily becomes Acting President under the Twenty-fifth Amendment is not a presidency, because the president remains in office during such a period.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Died in office of natural causes.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Prior to ratification of the Twenty-fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution in 1967, there was no mechanism by which a vacancy in the Vice Presidency could be filled. Richard Nixon was the first president to fill such a vacancy under the provisions of the Twenty-fifth Amendment when he appointed Gerald Ford. Ford later became the second president to fill a vice presidential vacancy when he appointed Nelson Rockefeller to succeed him.
- ^ a b c Resigned.
- ^ Being the first vice president to assume the presidency, Tyler set a precedent that a vice president who assumes the office of president becomes a fully functioning president who has his own presidency, as opposed to just a caretaker president. His political opponents attempted to refer to him as "Acting President", but he refused to allow that. The Twenty-fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution put Tyler's precedent into the Constitution.
- ^ Former Democrat who ran for Vice President on Whig ticket. Clashed with Whig congressional leaders and was expelled from the Whig party in 1841.
- ^ a b c d Assassinated.
- ^ a b Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson were, respectively, a Republican and a Democrat who ran on the National Union ticket in 1864.
- ^ Andrew Johnson did not identify with the two main parties while president and tried and failed to build a party of loyalists under the National Union label. His failure to build a true National Union Party left Johnson without a party.
- ^ This term was shortened by 43 days due to the Twentieth Amendment to the United States Constitution going into effect, moving inauguration day from March 4 to January 20.
- ^ Dwight Eisenhower is the first president to have been legally prohibited by the Twenty-second Amendment to the United States Constitution from seeking a third term.
References
- ^ "The Constitution: Amendments 11–27". U.S. National Archives & Records Administration. Retrieved October 1, 2008.
- ^ "Excerpts from "Forgotten Presidents" – The Patriots Handbook, by George Grant". Harrold.org. Retrieved August 8, 2011.
- ^ Cleaves 1939, p. 152
- ^ Ingersoll, Jared. "Death of the President". University of Virginia's Miller Center of Public Affairs. Retrieved November 2, 2010.
- ^ Russell, Francis (1962). The Shadow of Blooming Grove – Warren G. Harding in His Times. Easton Press. p. 591. ISBN ISBN 0070543380.
{{cite book}}: Check|isbn=value: invalid character (help) - ^ a b Martin, Paul "Lincoln's Missing Bodyguard", Smithsonian Magazine, April 8, 2010, Retrieved November 15, 2010
- ^ Donald (1996), p. 597.
- ^ "Big Ben Parker and President McKinley's Assassination". Math.buffalo.edu. Retrieved August 8, 2011.
- ^ "Nixon Resigns". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 31, 2008.
- ^ "Obama wins historic US election". BBC. November 5, 2008. Retrieved November 5, 2008.
- ^ last office held, if none
- ^ The White House (March 12, 2007). "Biography of George Washington". Whitehouse.gov. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "George Washington – no Political Party – 1st President – American Presidents". History. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "George Washington (February 22, 1732 – December 14, 1799)". American Presidents: Life Portraits. C-SPAN. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ Washington political party
- ^ "Biography of John Adams". Whitehouse.gov. March 12, 2007. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "John Adams – Federalist Party – 2nd President – American Presidents". History. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "John Adams (October 30, 1735 – July 4, 1826)". American Presidents: Life Portrait. C-SPAN. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of Thomas Jefferson". Whitehouse.gov. March 12, 2007. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Thomas Jefferson – Democratic-Republican Party – 3rd President – American Presidents". History. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Thomas Jefferson (April 13, 1743 – July 4, 1826)". American Presidents: Life Portrait. C-SPAN. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of James Madison". Whitehouse.gov. March 12, 2007. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "James Madison – Democratic-Republican Party – 4th President – American Presidents". History. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "James Madison (March 16, 1751 – June 28, 1836)". American Presidents: Life Portrait. C-SPAN. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of James Madison". Whitehouse.gov. March 12, 2007. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "James Monroe – Democratic-Republican Party – 5th President – American Presidents". History. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "James Monroe (April 28, 1758 – July 4, 1831)". American Presidents: Life Portrait. C-SPAN. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of John Quincy Adams". Whitehouse.gov. March 12, 2007. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "John Quincy Adams – Federalist, Democratic-Republican, National Republican, WHIG Party – 6th President – American Presidents". History. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "John Quincy Adams (July 11, 1767 – February 23, 1848)". American Presidents: Life Portrait. C-SPAN. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of Andrew Jackson". Whitehouse.gov. March 12, 2007. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Andrew Jackson – Democratic-Republican Party – 7th President – American Presidents". History. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Andrew Jackson (March 15, 1767 – June 8, 1845)". American Presidents: Life Portrait. C-SPAN. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of Martin Van Buren". Whitehouse.gov. March 12, 2007. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Martin Van Buren – Democratic-Republican, Democratic, and Free Soil Party – 8th President – American Presidents". History. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Martin Van Buren (December 5, 1782 – July 24, 1862)". American Presidents: Life Portrait. C-SPAN. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of William Henry Harrison". Whitehouse.gov. March 12, 2007. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "William Henry Harrison – WHIG Party – 9th President – American Presidents". History. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "William Henry Harrison (February 9, 1773 – April 4, 1841)". American Presidents: Life Portrait. C-SPAN. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of John Tyler". Whitehouse.gov. March 12, 2007. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "John Tyler – No Party – 10th President – American Presidents". History. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "John Tyler (March 29, 1790 – January 18, 1862)". American Presidents: Life Portrait. C-SPAN. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of James Polk". Whitehouse.gov. March 12, 2007. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "James Polk – Democratic Party – 11th President – American Presidents". History. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "James K. Polk (November 2, 1795 – June 15, 1849)". American Presidents: Life Portrait. C-SPAN. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of Zachary Tyler". Whitehouse.gov. March 12, 2007. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Zachary Taylor – WHIG Party – 12th President – American Presidents". History. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Zachary Taylor (November 24, 1784 – July 9, 1850)". American Presidents: Life Portrait. C-SPAN. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of Millard Fillmore". Whitehouse.gov. March 12, 2007. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Millard Filmore – WHIG Party – 13th President – American Presidents". History. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Millard Fillmore (January 7, 1800 – March 8, 1874)". American Presidents: Life Portrait. C-SPAN. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of Franklin Pierce". Whitehouse.gov. March 12, 2007. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Franklin Pierce – Democratic Party – 14th President – American Presidents". History. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Franklin Pierce (November 23, 1804 – October 8, 1869)". American Presidents: Life Portrait. C-SPAN. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of James Buchanan". Whitehouse.gov. March 12, 2007. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "James Buchanan – Democratic Party – 15th President – American Presidents". History. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "James Buchanan (April 23, 1791 – June 1, 1868)". American Presidents: Life Portrait. C-SPAN. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of Abraham Lincoln". Whitehouse.gov. March 12, 2007. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Abraham Lincoln – Republic, National Union Party – 16th President – American Presidents". History. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809 – April 15, 1865)". American Presidents: Life Portrait. C-SPAN. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of Andrew Johnson". Whitehouse.gov. March 12, 2007. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Andrew Johnson – National Union Party – 17th President – American Presidents". History. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Andrew Johnson (December 29, 1808 – July 31, 1875)". American Presidents: Life Portrait. C-SPAN. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of Ulysses S. Grant". Whitehouse.gov. March 12, 2007. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Ulysses S. Grant – National Union Party – 18th President – American Presidents". History. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Ulysses S. Grant (April 27, 1822 – July 23, 1885)". American Presidents: Life Portrait. C-SPAN. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of Rutherford B. Hayes". Whitehouse.gov. March 12, 2007. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Rutherford B. Hayes – Republican Party – 19th President – American Presidents". History. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Rutherford B. Hayes (October 4, 1822 – January 17, 1893)". American Presidents: Life Portrait. C-SPAN. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of James Garfield". Whitehouse.gov. March 12, 2007. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "James Garfield – Republican Party – 20th President – American Presidents". History. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "James A. Garfield (November 19, 1831 – September 19, 1881)". American Presidents: Life Portrait. C-SPAN. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of Chester Arthur". Whitehouse.gov. March 12, 2007. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Chester A. Arthur – Republican Party – 21st President – American Presidents". History. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Chester A. Arthur (October 5, 1829 – November 18, 1886)". American Presidents: Life Portrait. C-SPAN. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ a b "Grover Cleveland – Democratic Party – 22nd and 24th President – American Presidents". History. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ a b "Grover Cleveland (March 18, 1837 – June 24, 1908)". American Presidents: Life Portrait. C-SPAN. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of Benjamin Harrison". Whitehouse.gov. March 12, 2007. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "William Henry Harrison – Whig Party – 23rd President – American Presidents". History. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Benjamin Harrison (August 20, 1833 – March 13, 1901)". American Presidents: Life Portrait. C-SPAN. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of William McKinley". Whitehouse.gov. March 12, 2007. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "William McKinley – Republican Party – 25th President – American Presidents". History. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "William McKinley (January 29, 1843 – September 14, 1901)". American Presidents: Life Portrait. C-SPAN. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of Theodore Roosevelt". Whitehouse.gov. March 12, 2007. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Theodore Roosevelt – Republican, Bull Moose Party – 26th President – American Presidents". History. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Theodore Roosevelt (October 27, 1858 – January 6, 1919)". American Presidents: Life Portrait. C-SPAN. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of William Howard Taft". Whitehouse.gov. March 13, 2007. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "William Howard Taft – Republican Party – 27th President – American Presidents". History. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "William Howard Taft (September 15, 1857 – March 8, 1930)". American Presidents: Life Portrait. C-SPAN. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of Woodrow Wilson". Whitehouse.gov. March 13, 2007. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Woodrow Wilson – Democratic Party – 28th President – American Presidents". History. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Woodrow Wilson (December 28, 1856 – February 3, 1924)". American Presidents: Life Portrait. C-SPAN. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of Warren G. Harding". Whitehouse.gov. March 12, 2007. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Warren Harding – Republican Party – 29th President – American Presidents". History. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Warren G. Harding (November 2, 1865 – August 2, 1923)". American Presidents: Life Portrait. C-SPAN. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of Calvin Coolidge". Whitehouse.gov. March 13, 2007. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Calvin Coolidge – Republican Party – 30th President – American Presidents". History. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Calvin Coolidge (July 4, 1872 – January 5, 1933)". American Presidents: Life Portrait. C-SPAN. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of Herbert Hoover". Whitehouse.gov. March 13, 2007. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Herbert Hoover – Republican Party – 31st President – American Presidents". History. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Herbert Hoover (August 10, 1874 – October 20, 1964)". American Presidents: Life Portrait. C-SPAN. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of Franklin D. Roosevelt". Whitehouse.gov. March 20, 2007. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Franklin D. Roosevelt – Democratic Party – 32nd President – American Presidents". History. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Franklin D. Roosevelt (January 30, 1882 – April 12, 1945)". American Presidents: Life Portrait. C-SPAN. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of Harry S Truman". Whitehouse.gov. March 12, 2007. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Harry S Truman – Democratic Party – 33rd President – American Presidents". History. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Harry S Truman (May 8, 1884 – December 26, 1972)". American Presidents: Life Portrait. C-SPAN. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of Dwight D. Eisenhower". Whitehouse.gov. March 12, 2007. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Dwight D. Eisenhower – Democratic Party – 34th President – American Presidents". History. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Dwight D. Eisenhower (October 14, 1890 – March 28, 1969)". American Presidents: Life Portrait. C-SPAN. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of John F. Kennedy". Whitehouse.gov. March 12, 2007. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "John F. Kennedy – Democratic Party – 35th President – American Presidents". History. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "John F. Kennedy (May 29, 1917 – November 22, 1963)". American Presidents: Life Portrait. C-SPAN. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Lyndon B. Johnson – Democratic Party – 36th President – American Presidents". History. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Lyndon B. Johnson (August 27, 1908 – January 22, 1973)". American Presidents: Life Portrait. C-SPAN. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Richard M. Nixon". Whitehouse.gov. March 12, 2007. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Richard Nixon – Republican Party – 37th President – American Presidents". History. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Richard M. Nixon (January 9, 1913 – April 22, 1994)". American Presidents: Life Portrait. C-SPAN. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of Gerald R. Ford". Whitehouse.gov. March 12, 2007. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Gerald Ford – Republican Party – 38th President – American Presidents". History. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Gerald R. Ford (July 14, 1913 – December 26, 2006)". American Presidents: Life Portrait. C-SPAN. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of Jimmy Carter". Whitehouse.gov. March 12, 2007. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Jimmy Carter – Democratic Party – 39th President – American Presidents". History. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Jimmy Carter (October 1, 1924 – )". American Presidents: Life Portrait. C-SPAN. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of Ronald Reagan". Whitehouse.gov. June 25, 2008. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Ronald Reagan – Republican Party – 40th President – American Presidents". History. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Ronald Reagan (February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004)". American Presidents: Life Portrait. C-SPAN. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of George Herbert Walker Bush". Whitehouse.gov. March 12, 2007. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "George H. W. Bush – Republican Party – 41st President – American Presidents". History. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "George Bush (June 12, 1924 – )". American Presidents: Life Portrait. C-SPAN. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of William J. Clinton". Whitehouse.gov. March 12, 2007. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Bill Clinton – Democratic Party – 42nd President – American Presidents". History. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Bill Clinton (August 19, 1946 – )". American Presidents: Life Portrait. C-SPAN. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Biography of President George W. Bush". Whitehouse.gov. February 25, 2007. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "George W. Bush – Republican Party – 43rd President – American Presidents". History. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "George W. Bush (July 6, 1946 – )". American Presidents: Life Portrait. C-SPAN. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "President Barack Obama". Whitehouse.gov. January 20, 2009. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
- ^ "Barack Obama – Democratic Party – 44th President – American Presidents". History. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
- ^ "Barack Obama (August 4, 1961 – )". American Presidents: Life Portrait. C-SPAN. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to President of the United States.
- Whitehouse.gov: The Presidents
- The Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies –Grand Valley State University
- POTUS: Presidents of the United States – Internet Public Library
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