Presidents of the United States

The President of the United States is the head of state, head of government, and commander-in-chief of the armed forces. Since the office was established in 1789, it has been held by 46 individuals, each shaping the nation's path in distinct ways.

Role and Responsibilities

The President is responsible for:

Enforcing federal laws
Leading the executive branch of government
Representing the U.S. in foreign affairs
Serving as Commander-in-Chief of the military
Nominating federal judges and cabinet members
Signing or vetoing legislation

Presidents serve four-year terms and can be elected to a maximum of two terms.

Founding and First Presidents

George Washington (1789–1797) – The first President, widely respected for setting key precedents and voluntarily stepping down after two terms.
John Adams (1797–1801) – Oversaw early U.S. foreign policy challenges.
Thomas Jefferson (1801–1809) – Known for the Louisiana Purchase and expanding U.S. territory.

Civil War and Reconstruction

Abraham Lincoln (1861–1865) – Led the country through the Civil War and issued the Emancipation Proclamation. Assassinated in office.
Andrew Johnson (1865–1869) – Oversaw Reconstruction but faced impeachment.

20th Century Leaders

Theodore Roosevelt (1901–1909) – Known for progressivism and conservation.
Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933–1945) – Elected to four terms, led the U.S. through the Great Depression and World War II.
John F. Kennedy (1961–1963) – Young and charismatic; assassinated in 1963.

Modern Era

Ronald Reagan (1981–1989) – Known for conservative policies and ending the Cold War.
Barack Obama (2009–2017) – First African-American President.
Donald Trump (2017–2021, 2025– ) – Returned to the presidency after defeating Kamala Harris in the 2024 election; known for his focus on border security, deregulation, and a strong nationalistic platform.
Joe Biden (2021–2025) – Focused on pandemic recovery, infrastructure, and international diplomacy.

Fun Facts

The shortest presidency was held by William Henry Harrison — just 31 days.
Grover Cleveland is the only president to serve two non-consecutive terms.
Four presidents have been assassinated while in office.