Let’s look at some history today! Here’s a list of all the Presidents of the USA since George Washington until Barack Obama today. Some basic information and facts are provided for each President.
Happy reading!
Contents
1 George Washington (1789-1797)
- Full name: George Washington
- Born: February 22, 1732
- Died: December 14, 1799
- Age at inauguration: 57
- Political party: Independent
- Known for: Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, hero of the revolution, first president of the US, presided over the convention that drafted the United States of America. Many buildings, places and monuments are built for or named after Washington.
- What you may not know about Washington: To prevent a precedent for US presidents not to get any salary, the already wealthy Washington finally accepted a $25,000 yearly salary. He at first declined this because he wanted to have an image of a public servant.
If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter. -George Washington
2 John Adams (1797-1801)
- Full name: John Adams
- Born: October 30, 1735
- Died: July 4, 1826
- Age at inauguration: 61
- Political party: Federalist
- Known for:
- What you may not know about Adams: The house Adams bought as a foreign ambassador in The Netherlands (then Dutch Republic) was the first American-owned embassy on foreign soil.
The happiness of society is the end of government. -John Adams
3 Thomas Jefferson (1801-1809)
- Full name: Thomas Jefferson
- Born: April 13, 1743
- Died: July 4, 1826
- Age at inauguration: 57
- Political party: Democratic-Republican
- Known for: Jefferson wrote the original draft of the declaration of independence
- What you may not know about Jefferson: Thomas Jefferson opposed slavery his entire life, even though he owned hundreds and only freed a few. Being criticized for his racism and slavery issues doesn’t change the fact that Jefferson is still considered one of the greatest US Presidents
When we get piled upon one another in large cities, as in Europe, we shall become as corrupt as Europe. -Thomas Jefferson
4 James Madison (1809-1817)
- Full name: James Madison, Jr.
- Born: March 16, 1751
- Died: June 28, 1836
- Age at inauguration: 57
- Political party: Democratic-Republican
- Known for: Madison was one of the founders of the US Constitution
- What you may not know about Madison: Madison originally objected to a Bill of Rights. Not only because he thought that the Bill of Rights gave protection to powers that were not granted to the federal government, but also because he thought it was dangerous as people would consider certain given rights to mean the absence of other rights.
The essence of Government is power; and power, lodged as it must be in human hands, will ever be liable to abuse. -James Madison in a speech before the Virginia State Constitutional Convention, December 1 1829
5 James Monroe (1817-1825)
- Full name: James Monroe
- Born: April 28, 1758
- Died: July 4, 1831
- Age at inauguration: 41
- Political party: Democratic-Republican
- Known for: Monroes presidency meant the “Era of Good Feelings”, during which there was a strong tendency to decide matters in favor of national unity instead of political party interests. The term “Era of Good Feelings” however was more one of sarcasm and skepticism, because there was actually much restraint and intra-party struggle.
- What you may not know about Monroe: Monrovia, Liberia is named after President Monroe. With the help of the private organization the “American Colonization Society” Monroe sent thousands of freedmen (freed slaves) to this new African colony. This was largely to prevent them from causing an uprising among current slaves, as Monroe was still a slaveholder himself. Perhaps a bit off-track, but in my eyes not unrelated, Liberia today is considered the most corrupt country in the world.
Preparation for war is a constant stimulus to suspicion and ill will. -James Monroe