The Greatest US Presidents Ranked
Do you want to know who was named to be the greatest president in American history? C-SPAN recently commissioned a team of experts to determine the answer and the results are very intriguing. Ranking each president according to various factors such as leadership in a time of crisis, public persuasion, and international relations, they examined each president since 1774 to find out the answer. We’ve assembled the presidents who made the final cut, so read on to find out who is the best of the best!
Warren G. Harding
A meaningful milestone, the 29th election in which Warren G. Harding was elected was the first in which women were able to vote. Warren Harding started his career in the newspaper industry, owning the Marion Star newspaper in Ohio. He left his rural hometown in Ohio when he entered the world of politics as soon as it was required for the role. Throughout his time in the role (1921-1923), Harding formally ended World War I by declaring the US at peace with Hungary, Germany, and Austria. Also having promoted a “return to normalcy”, he attempted to improve the economy in various ways. With his cabinet suffering many scandals, Harding unfortunately died of a heart attack during his time in office just as they were becoming more public.
Warren G. Harding
John Tyler
Following the death of President William Henry Harrison, John Tyler became the 10th president of the United States. Serving in office from 1841 until 1845, he was the first to take over a previous president who had passed away while in office, meaning he was the first president who was not elected. During the debate about slavery, Tyler supported the rights to every state to make their own decisions concerning the matter as well as any other matters. Due to him making a few enemies in Congress by refusing to remain a “passive” replacement president, Tyler has earned the nickname “His Accidency”. His attempted impeachment was the first in American history, even though it ended up falling through. In international matters, Tyler negotiated treaties with Britain and China. He was also the president with the largest amount of children, having had 15.
John Tyler
Franklin Pierce
As the 14th president of The United States, Franklin Pierce was quite a controversial figure. He was a democrat who strongly opposed the abolitionist movement, calling it “a fundamental threat to the unity of the nation”. It’s hard to believe that he signed the Kansas-Nebraska act. It was this act which enabled residents of new territories to decided whether slavery would be illegal or not. To add to his list of not-so-savory characteristics, he was an alcoholic – a trait he inherited from his mother.
Franklin Pierce
James Buchanan
Following the presidency of Franklin Pierce, another democrat stepped in. Unfortunately, James Buchanan didn’t make much of an improvement according to most historians. Ironically, when he was elected as president he told of his aims to reach a level of excellence matching that of George Washington’s! On a side note, he had ten siblings, most of whom were younger than him.
James Buchanan
William Henry Harrison
Holding the record for the shortest term in office, William Henry Harrison was remembered mainly for tragedy, having died during his time in office.
Exactly 31 days, his time in office was from March 4,1841 until April 4,1841. The 9th president died of pneumonia following his inauguration which took place on a rainy day, with some people claiming the reason being that he refused to wear a warm jacket and then proceeded to ride on horseback and give a two hour speech. The last president alive before the American Revolution, Harrison accumulated his fame by leading the US military to victory in the Battle of Tippecanoe in 1811, earning him the nickname “Old Tippecanoe”. Harrison was the first president who was photographed, but unfortunately the image was lost over the years. The son of founding father Benjamin Harrison, Harrison’s grandson who was also named Benjamin Harrison, went on to become the 23rd president from 1889 to 1893.
William Henry Harrison
Millard Fillmore
The last of the forgotten Whig Party president before it fell apart, Millard Fillmore was born into poverty and managed to educate himself enough to rise up to the rank of vice president while President Zachary Taylor was in office. After President Taylor passed away from cholera, Fillmore became the 13th president in 1850. After Taylor’s death, the entire White House cabinet resigned immediately, leaving Fillmore to build a new one from the ground up. Between 1850 and 1853, he attempted (and failed) to prevent a rift between the North and South by signing the Compromise of 1850. Fillmore helped developing a relationship with Japan, who banned all foreign relations including foreign trade. During his presidency, Japan began to allow American ships to stop in Japan in case of emergencies.
Millard Fillmore
Herbert Hoover
Having been in office during one of the most trying times in American history, Herbert Hoover was the 31st US President. From Iowa and then Oregon, Hoover attended Stanford University in its first opening year (1891) and ended up marrying Lou Henry, his college sweetheart. Having spent most of his time working in China before his political career, Hoover was in Europe when World War I erupted. He gained recognition by his helping to evacuate around 120,000 American tourists from Germany and France. His term ran from 1929 to 1933, during which the stock market crashed and then began the Great Depression. Even during the difficult circumstances, Hoover attempted several tactics to aid his country, including trying to lower the taxes and convince businesses to retain their employees. As change happens slowly, Hoover was forced to keep strong during the worst economy the US ever had.
Herbert Hoover
Chester Arthur
Born in Vermont, Chester Arthur was the 21st president and the son of Irish immigrants. While people said he “looked like a president” he only became president after the assassination of President James Garfield in 1881 as he was his vice president at the time. A notable accomplishment he achieved while in office during 1881 to 1885 was making the Pendleton Act a law. Making sure people earned federal government jobs through a merit-based system, the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act changed the system of political roles, keeping people from receiving jobs merely because of political affiliations. This act also began the use of exams to get government jobs. During his time in office, Arthur legislated the first federal immigration law, which aimed to prevent “paupers, criminals, and lunatics” from immigrating into the country.
Chester Arthur
Martin Van Buren
President Martin Van Buren was in office for just one term, from 1837 to 1841, having been president during a massive economic crisis which was known as the Panic of 1837. Starting just three months after he became president, this crisis was the United States’ first ever great depression. Earning the nickname ‘the Little Magician”, Van Buren urged for the US Treasury to become independent of the government and to keep its funds separate in order to keep them safe while political opinions may vary and change. He was secretary of state under President Andrew Jackson before becoming the president himself and later became the “minister to Great Britain”. Because of his inheritance of the great depression, Van Buren was under much scrutiny as incredible amounts of banks and businesses shut down as a result of the economic crisis. Nonetheless, policies Van Buren set eventually revived the economy even though by the time the effects were noticeable, he was no longer in office so he never got the credit he deserved for his actions on the matter.
Martin Van Buren
George W. Bush
The 43rd US president, George W. Bush was commander in chief during the September 11 attacks in 2001, one of the most tragic events in US history. Having been in office for two consecutive terms from 2001 to 2008, during his presidency he ordered the invasion of Afghanistan as well as a second Gulf War in Iraq, which as a result overthrew Saddam Hussein, its leader. As a response to the 9/11 terror attacks, Bush established the Department of Homeland Security. Spending five years as the governor of Texas before becoming president, Bush won the 2000 presidential election. Due to winning the popular vote by just 0.5 percent in Florida, there was a lengthy recount of the votes in the state, resulting in him becoming president after winning the electoral vote but losing the popular vote. With his father George H.W. Bush having been the president about a decade earlier, Bush himself is the second president in US history to be the son of a former president.
George W. Bush
Bush Hears About 9/11
It’s hard to forget that fateful day, the day that America was attacked by Al Qaeda terrorists who flew two airplanes into the World Trade Centers in New York City. This photograph shows the exact moment that President Bush heard about the devastating attacks. Bush was at Emma E. Booker Elementary School in Sarasota County, Florida, when he was informed. He was promoting literacy in America and even participated in the reading of The Pet Goat with children from the school.
Bush Hears About 911
Rutherford B. Hayes
The 19th president, Rutherford B. Hayes was a republican that was in office from 1877 until 1881. After months of dispute, he won the electoral vote but lost the popular vote, similar to the 2000 elections, resulting in the same outcome of him becoming president. Hayes even had the support of famous author Mark Twain. Acting as governor of Ohio for three terms, before his presidency, Hayes began his political career as a part of the now non-existent Whig party. Hayes was a supporter of expanding the black community’s civil rights, although the Democratic majority of Congress ended up getting in the way of his efforts. A famous advocate for civil service exams, Hayes wanted to ensure that people in the government earned their jobs rather than just getting in through political ties they had. This advocacy eventually became the Pendleton Act. The first college-educated first lady, Hayes’ wife vouched for the first alcohol-free White House.
Rutherford B. Hayes
Zachary Taylor
Nicknamed ” Old Rough and Ready”, Zachary Taylor was the 12th US President and is known for his time in office being so brief. Before starting his career in politics, Taylor was a war hero due to his leadership skills during his military service, earning him his nickname. Renowned for being a war hero in the Mexican-American War, Taylor was the last leader of the Whig Party to become the president. Beginning his time in office in March of 1849, Taylor was very focused on the slavery debate, leaning towards the anti-slavery side even though he himself has slaves at the time. While in office, Taylor encouraged California and New Mexico to become states. Unfortunately, Taylor died with in office on July 9, 1850 after being sick with cholera just a few days prior. His untimely death led to people speculating if his abrupt sickness was due to his consuming milk and ice water that must have been infected or the large amount of cherries he ate on the 4th of July.
Zachary Taylor
Benjamin Harrison
The 23rd president, Benjamin Harrison served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. One of the greatest US presidents, he excelled at international relations and had a good working relationship with Congress during his years in office (1889-1893). While in office, he had the nickname “Little Ben” as he was the great grandson and namesake of founding father Benjamin Harrison. Also the only president to have a grandfather who was a US president as well, Harrison’s grandfather was William Henry Harrison, AKA “Old Tippecanoe”. Memorable for his advocacy and enforcement of African American voting rights, Harrison was also responsible for accepting western states into the Union: Montana, Washington, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Wyoming.
Benjamin Harrison
James A. Garfield
The only sitting member of the House of Representatives to be elected president, James A. Garfield was the 20th US president. He served as a major general on the Union side of the American Civil War, having fought in several battles such as Shiloh, Middle Creek, and Chickamauga. During his time in office from March 4, 1881 to September 19, 1881, Garfield accomplished many admirable things like building up the navy and ridding the postal service of corruption. Garfield advocated for universal education systems and was concerned with civil rights, also appointing several African Americans to well-known government positions, such as Fredrick Douglass. Due to an assassination attempt in July 1881 that led to multiple infections, Garfield’s presidency was cut short.
James A. Garfield
Garfield’s Assassination
President James Garfield hadn’t even completed his 4th month of being president when he was shot by Charles J. Guiteau. The president actually survived the shooting, but later died of infection. Many doctors believe that had that occurred today, he would have been treated better and he would even recover completely.
Garfields Assassination
Richard M. Nixon
With a huge talent for negotiating foreign affairs, Richard M. Nixon was the 37th president of the United States. In his presidency from 1969 to 1974, Nixon ended the American involvement in Vietnam successfully, opened diplomatic relations with China, brought home POWs, and signed the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty with the USSR. Serving as vice president to President Dwight D. Eisenhower from 1953 to 1961, Nixon had completed a number of impressive feats. Enforcing desegregation in the South, he funded the Environmental Protection Agency, signed the anti-crime bill, and began the “War on Cancer”. In the 1960 elections Nixon ran as well, but he lost to Democrat John F. Kennedy. Had it not been for the Watergate scandal, Nixon would have ranked higher on the list.
Richard M. Nixon
Nixon’s Watergate Scandal
It was the controversial Watergate Scandal that eventually led Richard Nixon to becoming the first American president to ever quit the position. His final statement was, “I have always tried to do what is best for the nation.”
Nixon’s Watergate Scandal
Calvin Coolidge
Calvin Coolidge took over after President Warren Harding’s untimely death in 1923 after having been vice president. In 1924 he won the presidential election and served until 1929. A big supporter of small government and laissez-faire foreign policy, Coolidge was very popular when he left office. A lot of people saw his presidency as a time that there was dignity in his role as president, as the White House was tarnished with multiple years of scandals. With his soft spoken demeanor, Coolidge fought for what he believed was right and was a strong supporter of civil rights and racial equality. Even so, he did not always get the approval from the rest of the government, such as when he wanted to make lynching a federal crime. Coolidge succeeded in passing the Indian Citizenship Act which gave all the Native Americans on reservations an American citizenship. As his biographer wrote: “He embodied the spirit and hopes of the middle class, could interpret their longings and express their opinions. That he did represent the genius of the average is the most convincing proof of his strength”.
Calvin Coolidge
Jimmy Carter
Serving as the 39th President of the United States, Jimmy Carter was in office from 1977 until 1981. Raised in a family of successful peanut farmers, he became passionate about the civil rights movement while building up the business, all this leading to his career in politics. Carter established the Department of Energy and the Department of Education during his time in office. Leading to the Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty in 1979, Carter was behind the Camp David Accords as well. In the C-SPAN ranking process, Carter scored highly for moral authority and pursuing equal justice for all. During his time in office, he faced multiple international crises, such as the 1979 Energy Crisis and the Iran Hostage Crisis. Handling all these events had an effect on the general attitude in the nation, resulting in his rating causing him to lose the 1980 elections to Republican Ronald Reagan. Carter won a Nobel Peace prize in 2002 for the work of his NGO, the Carter Center.
Jimmy Carter
Carter’s Peace Deal
President Jimmy Carter made history when he brokered a peace agreement between Israeli president Menachem Begin and Egyptian president Anwar Saddat. The 1978 deal meant that Israel would give back land that they had captured in its victorious Yom Kippur War in 1973, and Egypt would fully recognize Israel’s right to exist. They were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
Carters Peace Deal
Gerald R. Ford Jr.
After Richard Nixon resigned from office, Gerald Ford became the 38th president of the United States. His time in office was from 1974 until 1977. Known for taking part in the Helsinki Accords which attempted to improve relations with the Soviet Union during the Cold War, Ford also pardoned former president Richard Nixon. Ford was from Grand Rapids in Michigan and pursued a career in law that ended up bringing him into the world of politics. His moral authority in which he led the country through a severe economic depression boosts his rank up significantly. Ford is the only man who ever was also president and vice president without being elected.
Gerald R. Ford Jr.
Ford’s First Assassination Attempt
On September 5th, 1975, an attempt was made on the life of President Gerald Ford. He was walking through crowds of people in Sacramento California when Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme attempted to shoot him with a Colt M1911 pistol. Luckily the pistol didn’t fire and no-one was harmed, other than Fromme who was quickly pounced on by the Secret Service. Fromme was a follower of Charles Manson, a cult leader who is still serving a life sentence in prison for numerous murders.
Fords First Assassination Attempt
Ford’s Second Assassination Attempt
Only 17 days after the first attempt on his life, another woman attempted to assassinate the president. This time it was Sara Jane Moore who tried to shoot the president during another street tour in California. A former marine noticed when she pulled out the gun and immediately reacted by jumping onto her. A bullet was shot from the gun, but it missed the president and instead hit a taxi driver. The driver survived. Now who’s the next president on our list?
Fords Second Assassination Attempt
William H. Taft
The 27th president of the United States, William H. Taft was the only person to ever serve as a president and the US chief of justice after his presidency. Form Ohio, Taft attended Yale University to study law. It is said he was a member of the Skull and Bones secret society at Yale. While in his 20s, he excelled in law and was appointed a judge. His time in office ran from 1909 to 1913, during which he focused his efforts mainly on East Asia, even more than European matters. Also intervening in Latin American affairs, Taft either set up or broke down governments.
William H. Taft
Grover Cleveland
Serving two terms as president, Grover Cleveland had his first term from 1885 to 1889. Losing the re-election the first time around, Cleveland wound up winning again in 1893 and remaining in office until 1897. Conservatives praise him for his fiscal policy and since he advocated for political reform. While in his second term, Cleveland had to deal with the Panic of 1893 which was an awful economic downturn, along with a massive nationwide railroad strike which is known as the Pullman Strike of 1894. A descendant of one of the first families to move to the new world, they traveled from England to Massachusetts in 1635. As written by his biographer, Cleveland was a fantastic public speaker: “He possessed honesty, courage, firmness, independence, and common sense. But he possessed them to a degree other men do not”. Even with a less successful second term, Cleveland is considered to be one of the better US presidents.
Grover Cleveland
Cleveland’s Marriage
Grover Cleveland was and still is the only American president to get married at the White House. But the story wasn’t so much that he got married there, but rather to whom he got married. His new wife was only 21 years old, but very much a grown woman. She was fluent in French, charismatic and apparently attractive too. Despite being 28 years older than she was, they were very much in love, and it seems that the public loved them too.
Clevelands Marriage
Ulysses S. Grant
Having served as a commanding general of the Union Army during the Civil War, Ulysses S. Grant was the 18th president of the United States and was very popular during his term in 1869 until 1877. Just a few years after graduating from West Point, Grant rose to prominence when he fought in the Mexican-American War. At the time he was sworn in as president at the age of 47, he was the youngest president. Grant scored high due to having moral authority, excelling at international relations, high public persuasion, and for pursuing justice for Americans, equally. The public remembers him as an honest man who strongly opposed the KKK who also was the first to appoint Jewish Americans and African Americans to office.
Ulysses S. Grant
John Quincy Adams
John Quincy Adams was the 6th President of the US, and served in office between 1825 to 1829. Also known as JQA, John was the son John Adams, one of the founding fathers and former presidents. John was a staunch anti-slavery and pro-equal rights activist. He even dubbed himself “the acutest, the astutest, the archest enemy of southern slavery that ever existed.” JQA preferred to stay out of European politics, and was a strong advocate of nonintervention policies. He was also strongly against the annexation of Texas, and holds the record for the oldest surviving presidential photo, which dated back to 1843, when he was 76 years old.
John Quincy Adams
George H. W. Bush
George H. W. Bush senior was President for one term, which lasted between 1989 and 1993. He’s also the father of the later President George W. Bush. He previously served in the White House for 8 years, as Vice President for President Ronald Reagan. George was renowned for his leadership skills, especially in times of crisis. He was also a skilled negotiator, so great for international relations. During his time in office, there were numerous symbolic historical events, from the fall of the Berlin Wall and the end of the Cold War to the first Gulf War. He was also responsible for several landmark acts, such as the Americans With Disabilities Act, the Clean Air Act and the North American Free Trade Agreement between the US, Mexico and Canada. If that’s not all, he also holds a record-breaking legacy of for the longest presidential marriage, lasting 73 years!
George H. W. Bush
John Adams
John Adams hold the prestigious title as the 2nd president of the United States, and served between 1797 and 1801. As one of America’s founding fathers, during his time in office, he built up the navy, so was renowned as “the father of the American Navy”. He also famously resolved a conflict between the US and France, but only served one term, because he was defeated by Thomas Jefferson in the elections.
John Adams
Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson served in office for just one term, between 1829 until 1837. Nowadays you might recognize him for being the face of the 20 dollar bill! Interestingly though, he was actually staunchly against paper money and an advocate for gold and silver coins. When he was just 13 years old, he was held captive by the British during the Revolutionary War. This means he was the only President who was a prisoner of war. He was also remembered for preventing South Carolina from seceding from the Union and impressively, he was the only leader to pay off all of the national debt.
Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson’s Inauguration Party
President Andrew Jackson was not like other presidents in American history; he was considered the president of the ordinary folk. After giving over his inauguration speech, he went off to the executive mansion where a small party was supposed to be held. But when masses of people of all ages followed the presidential party to the mansion, there was nothing they could do. The mansion was overrun by the uninvited guests, and they ransacked the kitchen and drank themselves sick. The carpets and floors were dirtied and furniture was damaged. Only after the alcohol was removed from the building, did the crowd disperse.
Andrew Jacksons Inauguration Party
James Madison
As another one of the founding fathers, James Madison was the 4th president of the United States, and served between 1809 to 1817. He was also dubbed the “father of the constitution” and was remembered fondly for his superb leadership skills. Having become the first graduate student at Princeton University, James was top of the class and finished his college in just two years. Madison lead his country during the War of 1812, created the national bank and helped strengthen the military and government powers. His wife Dolly also solidified her role as the First Lady and became and inspiration for all future woman in the White House to emulate. She famously redecorated the White House, and established public outreach programs for orphans.
James Madison
William McKinley Jr.
Between 1897 to 1901, William McKinley Jr. served as the 25th President of the United States. As the last president to lead is country during the Civil War, he also lead America to victory in the Spanish-US war. During his time in office, the U.S. had major movement as Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines all became US territories! William was also well-liked for improving the US economy, but didn’t really pursue equal justice for all citizens.
William McKinley Jr.
McKinley’s Assassination
On September 6th, 1901, President William McKinley visited the Temple of Music in Buffalo, New York. His secretary had worried about an assassination attempt and persuaded the president not to go ahead with the visit on two previous occasions. However, on this day the president managed to convince his aide, but it was to his own detriment. An anarchist by the name of Leon Czolgosz approached the president and shot him twice in the abdomen. He would die 8 days later.
McKinleys Assassination
Bill Clinton
As the 42nd president of the United States, Bill Clinton served 2 terms in office, between 1993 and 2001. During that time, America witnessed the longest period of economic expansion during peace of any president, who ever served in office. A reporter for the White House, Helen Thomas said, “He has brought on the greatest prosperity we have ever known and he doesn’t get the credit for it and that’s too bad”. Clinton also had the highest approval rating since World War II of 60%.
Bill Clinton
Clinton’s Impeachment
We all remember the scandal with White House intern, Monica Lewinsky and the President Clinton. Even though Bill Clinton at first blatantly denied having had any relationship with the young Lewinsky, he later came forward and confessed. Most will remember him saying, ‘Even presidents have private lives’.
Clintons Impeachment
James K. Polk
As the 11th president of the U.S, James K. Polk served in office between 1845 and 1849. In another major landmark, his inauguration was the first to ever be broadcasted on the news…by telegraph! Polk also famously lead America to victory during the US-Mexican War, and during his time in power, the U.S. territory expanded, due to the Mexican Cession of 1848 and annexation of Texas.
James K. Polk
James Monroe
James Monroe served in office between 1817 and 1825 and was one of the founding fathers and the 5th president of the United States. Monroe was a popular choice for President and was actually elected by a landslide. His period in office was later known as the “the Era of Good Feelings”. Having fought in the American Revolutionary War, Monroe was famous for his foreign policy, known as the “The Monroe Doctrine.”
James Monroe
Barack Obama
As the 44th president of the United States, Barack Obama was famous for being the first African-American President to ever be elected in history. During his time serving in office from 2009-2017, he made a few historic moves, such as reforming health care with the Affordable Care Act. He also left numerous legacies, such as brokering a nuclear deal with Iran, repealing the military’s “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy and normalizing relations with Cuba.
Barack Obama
Obama’s Inauguration
Other than the beautiful singing of the American anthem by singer Beyonce, there was a lot else to listen to at the inauguration of the first African-American president. He made a remarkable statement that granted him a great applause, “Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law.”
Obamas Inauguration
Woodrow Wilson
Woodrow Wilson served in office during WWI between 1913 and 1921, and was the 28th president of the United States. He assisted in creating the Treaty of Versailles, which was one of the triggers which helped end the war. One of his most iconic quotes was “at last the world knows America as the savior of the world!” He was also remembered for pushing for the U.S. to join the League of Nations, which later became known as the United Nations, but Congress blocked him at the time.
Woodrow Wilson
Lyndon Baines Johnson
Lyndon Baines Johnson, also known as LBJ, was the 36th president of the U.S., serving between 1963 and 1969. He left a strong legacy, and was known for helping drive the country forward in many symbolic areas. During his term he passed many welfare, gun and civil rights laws. He also expanded Medicare and Medicaid and symbolically passed a Social Security law.
Lyndon Baines Johnson
Ronald Reagan
Between 1981 and 1989. Ronald Reagan served as the 40th president of the United States. Arguably, he was perhaps best known for his Reaganomics economic policy. This focused on decreased social spending, increased military spending, the deregulation of domestic markets and widespread tax cuts. He is also remembered for Iran-Contra affair and historically ending the Cold War. One of his most iconic speeches was at the Berlin Wall, where he famously told the Soviet General Secretary Gorbachev to “tear down this wall!”.
Ronald Reagan
Reagan’s Assassination Attempt
On March 30th, 1981, John Hinckley Jr. tried to shoot and kill President Ronald Reagan. The perpetrator’s motive was far from expectations. He wanted to impress Jodie Foster, a young actress at the time, who had “fallen in love” with a presidential assassin in a movie called, Taxi Driver. One of the bullets he fired ricocheted and struck the president in the chest, but thankfully he survived.
Reagans Assassination Attempt
John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy was the 35th president of the United States, between 1961 until 1963. Affectionately known as JFK, his term was so short because tragically, he was assassinated in 1963. Interestingly, JFK is the only Roman Catholic to ever be president. He was also praised for his superb leadership skills during the Cuban Missile Crisis, and was renowned for establishing the Peace Corps.
John F. Kennedy
Kennedy’s Assassination
The world truly mourned when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated while driving with his motorcade through Dealey Plaza in Dallas, Texas on October 22nd, 1963. The assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald, shot Kennedy with a rifle from a building overlooking the route of the presidential motorcade. Sadly President Kennedy was instantly killed.
Kennedy’s Assassination
Thomas Jefferson
As another infamous founding fathers, Thomas Jefferson became the the 3rd president of the U.S from 1801 and 1809. Jefferson was renowned for playing a key role in writing the Declaration of Independence and doubling the United States territory by establishing the Louisiana Purchase with France. He was also a staunch advocate for equality, justice, freedom and justice for all.
Thomas Jefferson
Harry S. Truman
As the 33rd President of the US, Harry S. Truman was in power between 1945 and 1953, just after World War II ended. As an army veteran himself from World War I, Truman is the only president to date to have ever used nuclear weapons. He was also extremely stubborn, and used his power to veto 180 times, more than any other president.
Harry S. Truman
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight D. Eisenhower served as the 34th president of the U.S. between 1953 and 1961. He famously reversed President Truman’s policy and chose to desegregating the army. Also known as Ike, he became one of the most admired men in the history of politics.
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt, affectionately known as Teddy, served in power between 1901 to 1909. He was widely admired for persuasive public speaking, international relations and administrative skills, and scored highly for his economic management skills and overall vision. Not content with creating numerous iconic monuments, national parks and forests, he also expanded the Navy and kicked-off the construction of the Panama Canal. What’s more, he negotiated the end of the Russo-Japanese War and won himself a Nobel Peace Prize!
Theodore Roosevelt
Teddy Roosevelt’s Hobby
President ‘Teddy’ Roosevelt was known for being a fan of physical exercise. On one occasion he was sparring with a Naval officer at the White House, and he was smacked in the left eye. It took him several weeks to reveal that he had lost vision in his left eye due to the severity of the punch. Talk about pride.
Teddy Roosevelts Hobby
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt or FDR, was served between 1933 and 1945 as the 32nd president of the United States. He was so popular that he was the only President to be elected four times, leading his country through the Great Depression and WWII. Roosevelt also created the New Deal, which set in motion a series of economic and social reforms.
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Roosevelt’s Death
President Franklin D. Roosevelt suffered from polio, but his death would come from an intracerebral hemorrhage. Classified as one of the best American presidents in history, his death was a major event in America, and around the world. Sadly he would not get to see the end of the Second World War.
Roosevelts Death
George Washington
Holding the prestigious title of the very 1st president of the United States, George Washington was a founding father. During his time in power between 1789 and 1797, Washington was instrumental in establishing the US government system. He also lead the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, and ranks as the 2nd best president in US history.
George Washington
Abraham Lincoln
During his time in office between 1861 until 1865, Abraham Lincoln, nicknamed Abe was responsible for numerous symbolic milestones. As the 16th president of the US, Abe instigated the process of ending slavery, and lead the Union through the Civil War. In 1863, he passed the historic Emancipation Proclamation, which helped set the framework for abolishing slavery by changing the status of Slaves in the South to free people. In addition he officially outlawed slavery by adding the 13th amendment to the constitution. Tragically, he was assassinated in 1865, so he didn’t get the opportunity to see the effects of his work. Still, his legacy lives on and many polls have shown him to be the most admired, well-liked and greatest U.S. President of all time.
Abraham Lincoln
Lincoln’s Assassination
The assassination of Abraham Lincoln is perhaps the most memorable in American history. On April 14th, 1865, while watching a performance of Our American Cousin at Ford’s Theatre in Washington D.C., John Wilkes Booth sneaked up behind him and shot him. It wasn’t the first attempt on the president’s life, but it would be a successful one. The assassination took place exactly 5 days after the American Civil War ended.
Lincolns Assassination
Donald Trump
Republican candidate, Donald J. Trump, has been quite a controversial figure. His presidency took the world by surprise as he outran all the other Republican candidates, an eventually beat Democratic candidate, Hillary Clinton. President Trump is the first American in history to have become president without having served in a government or military position prior to the winning election.
Donald Trump
Trump’s Inauguration
On January, 27th 2017, Donald J. Trump was sworn in as the 45th President of the United States. “From this day forward, it’s going to be only America first, America first,” said Trump during his 17-minute speech after commencing his presidency.
Trumps Inauguration
Presidents Of The Future
We’re on our 45th president, so we must wonder what our next president will be like. Is it possible that in the near future we’ll have a female president? The first woman to ever take the title of Chief of Staff in the United States?
Presidents Of The Future