President timeline

George washington

Period: Apr 30, 1789 to Mar 4, 1797

George Washington was born into a Virginia planter family in Virginia
Commissioned a lieutenant colonel in 1754, he fought the first skirmishes of what grew into the French and Indian War
He served in the Virginia House of Burgesses
One of the Virginia Delegates during the Continental Congress
Commander in Chief of Continental Army

john Adams

Period: Mar 4, 1797 to Mar 4, 1801

John Adams was born in Massachusetts
Harvard Educated
Identified with the patriot cause
A delegate during both continental congresses
Served during the revolutionary war (Diplomatically)
Minister to the court of St. James
Elected Vice President
Married to Wife Abigail Smith Adams

Thomas Jefferson

Period: Mar 4, 1801 to Mar 4, 1809

Born in Albermarle County, Virginia
Studied at College of William and Mary
Studied Law
Married Martha Wayles Skelton
Served in the Virginia House of Burgesses and the Continental Congress
Drafted the Declaration of independence
Succeeded Benjamin Franklin as Minister of France
Secretary of State
Leader of Republicans
Acquired Lousiana

James Madison

Period: Mar 4, 1809 to Mar 4, 1817

James Madison born in Belle Grove
enrolled in the College of New Jersey
War of 1812.
the American Revolution

James Monroe

Period: Mar 4, 1817 to Mar 4, 1825

From: Monroe Hall, Virginia, United States
Education: Attended College of William and Mary
Military service: Revolutionary War officer
Previous offices: Governor of Virginia, Minister to France and UK, Secretary of State, Secretary of War
Family members: Married to Elizabeth Kortright Monroe
Important contributions: Authored the Monroe Doctrine, acquired Florida, negotiated treaties with Native American tribes.

John Quincy Adams

Period: Mar 4, 1825 to Mar 4, 1829

From: Massachusetts
Education: Harvard University graduate
No military service
Former Secretary of State under President James Monroe
Married to Louisa Adams, had four children
Notable for being the first son of a former President to also become President. His presidency faced domestic and foreign challenges. After his presidency, he served in the House of Representatives and became known for his anti-slavery activism, notably arguing the Amistad case before the Supreme Court.

Andrew Jackson

Period: Mar 4, 1829 to Mar 4, 1837

Birthplace: Waxhaws region, North and South Carolina border, United States
Education: Mostly self-educated
Military service: Revolutionary War courier, War of 1812 general
Previous offices: U.S. Representative, Senator for Tennessee, Military Governor of Florida
Family members: Married to Rachel Donelson Jackson
Important contributions: Won the Battle of New Orleans, expanded suffrage, enforced Native American removal policies.

Martin Van Buren

Period: Mar 4, 1837 to Mar 4, 1841

Birthplace: Kinderhook, New York, United States
Education: Studied law, no formal education
Military service: None
Previous offices: Governor of New York, U.S. Senator for New York, Secretary of State, Vice President under Andrew Jackson
Family members: Married to Hannah Hoes Van Buren
Important contributions: Shaped Democratic Party, implemented policies to address economic issues, oversaw the forced relocation of Native American tribes, and supported the annexation of Texas.

John Tyler

Period: Apr 6, 1841 to Mar 4, 1845

Birthplace: Charles City County, Virginia, United States
Education: College of William and Mary graduate
Military service: None
Previous offices: Governor of Virginia, U.S. Representative and Senator for Virginia, Vice President under William Henry Harrison
Family members: Married Letitia Christian Tyler, then Julia Gardiner Tyler.
Important contributions: Became president after Harrison's death, annexed Texas, faced party conflicts, and dealt with federal-state power struggles.

James K. Polk

Period: Mar 4, 1845 to Mar 5, 1849

Birthplace: Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, United States
Education: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill graduate
Military service: None
Previous offices: U.S. Representative, Speaker of the House, Governor of Tennessee
Family members: Married to Sarah Childress Polk
Important contributions: Oversaw significant territorial expansion through the annexation of Texas, negotiation of the Oregon Treaty, and the Mexican-American War. Promised and served only one term as president.

Zachary Taylor

Period: Mar 4, 1849 to Jul 9, 1850

Birthplace: Barboursville, Virginia, United States
Education: Limited formal education
Military service: Extensive military career, serving in the U.S. Army for over 40 years.
Previous offices: No previous political offices held
Family members: Married to Margaret Mackall Smith Taylor
Important contributions: Known as a military hero, Taylor rose to prominence during the Mexican-American War and was elected as the 12th President of the United States.

Millard Fillmore

Period: Jul 10, 1850 to Mar 3, 1853

Birthplace: Locke, New York, United States
Education: Mostly self-educated, apprenticed to a cloth maker
Military service: None
Previous offices: U.S. Representative, Comptroller of New York, Vice President under Zachary Taylor
Family members: Married to Abigail Powers Fillmore
Important contributions: Became president after Taylor's death, signed the Compromise of 1850 to ease sectional tensions over slavery, and initiated trade with Japan through the Treaty of Kanagawa.

Franklin Pierce

Period: Mar 4, 1853 to Mar 4, 1857

Birthplace: Hillsborough, New Hampshire, United States
Education: Bowdoin College graduate
Military service: Mexican-American War officer
Previous offices: U.S. Representative, Senator for New Hampshire
Family members: Married to Jane Means Appleton Pierce
Important contributions: Supported the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which heightened tensions over slavery. Oversaw the Gadsden Purchase for railroad construction.

James Buchanan

Period: Mar 4, 1857 to Mar 4, 1861

Birthplace: Cove Gap, Pennsylvania, United States
Education: Dickinson College graduate
Military service: None
Previous offices: U.S. Representative, Senator for Pennsylvania, Secretary of State, Minister to the United Kingdom
Family members: Never married
Important contributions: Presidency marked by escalating tensions over slavery, ultimately leading to the Civil War. Criticized for handling of crisis and failure to prevent Southern secession.

Abraham Lincoln

Period: Mar 4, 1861 to Apr 15, 1865

From: Hardin County, Kentucky
Education: Largely self-educated, briefly attended formal schooling
Military Service: None prior to presidency; served as Commander-in-Chief during the Civil War
Previous Offices: Illinois State Legislature, U.S. House of Representatives
Family: Married to Mary Todd Lincoln
Post-Presidency: Assassinated shortly after leaving office. His legacy includes preserving the Union and issuing the Emancipation Proclamation.

Andrew Johnson

Period: Apr 15, 1865 to Mar 4, 1869

Birthplace: Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
Education: Self-educated, apprenticed as a tailor
Military service: None
Previous offices: U.S. Representative, Governor, and Senator for Tennessee, Vice President under Abraham Lincoln
Family members: Married to Eliza McCardle Johnson
Important contributions: Became president after Lincoln's assassination, clashed with Radical Republicans, and was impeached by the House but acquitted by the Senate, narrowly avoiding removal from office.

Ulysses S. Grant

Period: Mar 4, 1869 to Mar 4, 1877

Birthplace: Point Pleasant, Ohio, United States
Education: United States Military Academy at West Point
Military service: Union Army general during the Civil War
Previous offices: None
Family members: Married to Julia Dent Grant
Important contributions: Led Union forces to victory in the Civil War. As president, focused on Reconstruction efforts and civil rights for African Americans. Also promoted westward expansion and oversaw implementation of the 15th Amendment.

Rutherford B. Hayes

Period: Mar 3, 1877 to Mar 3, 1881

Birthplace: Delaware, Ohio, United States
Education: Graduated from Kenyon College and Harvard Law School
Military service: Union Army major general during the Civil War
Previous offices: U.S. Representative for Ohio, Governor of Ohio
Family members: Married to Lucy Webb Hayes
Important Contributions: Ended Reconstruction, advocated civil service reform, improved civil rights, focused on education and economic stability.

James Garfield

Period: Mar 4, 1881 to Sep 19, 1881

Birthplace: Orange Township, Ohio, United States
Education: Graduated from Williams College
Military service: Served as a major general in the Union Army during the Civil War
Previous offices: U.S. Representative for Ohio
Family members: Married to Lucretia Rudolph Garfield
Important contributions: He advocated for civil service reform and worked to reduce corruption in government. He marked the beginning of efforts to modernize the U.S. Navy and reform the civil service system.

Chester A. Arthur

Period: Sep 20, 1881 to Mar 4, 1885

Birthplace: Fairfield, Vermont, United States
Education: Graduated from Union College
Military service: Served as Quartermaster General in the Union Army during the Civil War
Previous offices: Collector of the Port of New York, Vice President under James Garfield
Family members: Married to Ellen Lewis Herndon Arthur
Important contributions: Presidency marked by civil service reform, including the Pendleton Act. Also worked on modernizing the navy and promoting civil rights.

Grover Cleveland

Period: Mar 4, 1885 to Mar 4, 1889

Birthplace: Caldwell, New Jersey, USA
Education: Self-taught, studied law
Military: None
Offices: Mayor of Buffalo, Governor of New York
Family: Married Frances Folsom Cleveland
Important Contributions: Served two non-consecutive terms. Focused on fiscal conservatism, tariff and civil service reform. Addressed issues like railroad regulation, labor strikes, and currency reform. Faced challenges including the Panic of 1893 and the Pullman Strike.

Benjamin Harrison

Period: Mar 4, 1889 to Mar 4, 1893

Birthplace: North Bend, Ohio, USA
Education: Miami University, studied law
Military: Colonel in the Union Army during the Civil War
Offices: U.S. Senator for Indiana
Family: Married Caroline Harrison
Important Contributions: Presidency marked by the Sherman Antitrust Act, McKinley Tariff, and Sherman Silver Purchase Act. Focused on civil rights and pension reforms for veterans, but faced criticism for handling the Panic of 1893.

Grover Cleveland

Period: Mar 4, 1893 to Mar 4, 1897

Birthplace: Caldwell, New Jersey, USA
Education: Self-taught, studied law
Military: None
Offices: Mayor of Buffalo, Governor of New York
Family: Married Frances Folsom Cleveland
Important Contributions: Served two non-consecutive terms. Focused on fiscal conservatism, tariff and civil service reform. Addressed issues like railroad regulation, labor strikes, and currency reform. Faced challenges including the Panic of 1893 and the Pullman Strike.

William McKinley

Period: Mar 4, 1897 to Sep 14, 1901

Birthplace: Niles, Ohio, USA
Education: Attended Allegheny College
Military: Served in the Union Army during the Civil War
Offices: Governor of Ohio
Family: Married to Ida Saxton McKinley
Contributions: Presidency marked by economic growth and expansion, including protective tariffs and the annexation of Hawaii. Assassinated in 1901, leading to Theodore Roosevelt's presidency

Theodore Roosevelt

Period: Sep 14, 1901 to Mar 4, 1909

Birthplace: New York City, New York, USA
Education: Harvard University graduate
Military: Led the Rough Riders in the Spanish-American War
Offices: Governor of New York, Vice President under McKinley
Family: Married Alice Hathaway Lee Roosevelt, then Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt
Contributions: Known for progressive policies including trust-busting and conservation efforts. Pursued vigorous foreign policy, mediated end of Russo-Japanese War, advocated for labor rights and consumer protection.

William Howard Taft

Period: Mar 4, 1909 to Mar 4, 1913

From: Cincinnati, Ohio
Education: Yale College, Cincinnati Law School
Military Service: Governor-General of the Philippines during the Philippine-American War
Previous Offices: Solicitor General, Judge, Secretary of War
Family Members: Married to Helen Herron Taft; three children
Notable Achievements: Focused on trust-busting as President, served as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court afterward.

Woodrow Wilson

Period: Mar 4, 1913 to Mar 4, 1921

Birthplace: Staunton, Virginia
Education: Princeton University, Johns Hopkins University (Ph.D. in political science)
Military Service: None
Previous Offices Held: Governor of New Jersey
Family Members: Married twice, three daughters
Notable Accomplishments: Established Federal Reserve, Federal Trade Commission, led during World War I, advocated for League of Nations.

Warren G. Harding

Period: Mar 4, 1921 to Aug 2, 1923

Birthplace: Blooming Grove, Ohio
Education: Attended Ohio Central College
Military Service: None
Previous Offices Held: Lieutenant Governor of Ohio, U.S. Senator from Ohio
Family Members: Married Florence Kling Harding, no children
Notable Accomplishments: Involved in Teapot Dome scandal, signed resolution ending World War I.

Calvin Coolidge

Period: Aug 2, 1923 to Mar 4, 1929

Birthplace: Plymouth Notch, Vermont
Education: Amherst College
Military Service: None
Previous Offices Held: Mayor, Lieutenant Governor, Governor of Massachusetts; Vice President of the United States
Family Members: Married Grace Goodhue Coolidge, two sons
Notable Accomplishments: Known for conservative economic policies; oversaw "Roaring Twenties" prosperity.

Herbert Hoover

Period: Mar 4, 1929 to Mar 4, 1933

Birthplace: West Branch, Iowa
Education: Stanford University (geology)
Military Service: Led U.S. Food Administration in WWI
Previous Offices Held: Secretary of Commerce
Family Members: Married Lou Henry Hoover, two sons
Notable Accomplishments: President during Great Depression, signed Smoot-Hawley Tariff, struggled to address economic cris

Franklin D. Roosevelt

Period: Mar 4, 1933 to Apr 12, 1945

Birthplace: Hyde Park, New York
Education: Harvard University, Columbia Law School
Military Service: Assistant Secretary of the Navy in WWI
Previous Offices Held: Governor of New York
Family Members: Married Eleanor Roosevelt, six children
Notable Accomplishments: Led during Great Depression, implemented New Deal, guided U.S. through WWII, established United Nations.

Harry S. Truman

Period: Apr 12, 1945 to Jan 20, 1953

Birthplace: Lamar, Missouri
Education: Various schools, no college degree
Military Service: U.S. Army captain in WWI
Previous Offices Held: U.S. Senator, Vice President
Family Members: Married Bess Truman, one daughter
Notable Accomplishments: Became president after FDR, dropped atomic bombs, began Cold War, desegregated military, supported United Nations.

Dwight D. Eisenhower

Period: Jan 20, 1953 to Jan 20, 1961

Birthplace: Denison, Texas
Education: United States Military Academy at West Point
Military Service: Five-star general in WWII, Supreme Commander of NATO
Previous Offices Held: None
Family Members: Married Mamie Eisenhower, two sons
Notable Accomplishments: Led Allied forces in WWII, initiated "New Look" defense policy, established NASA and interstate highway system.

John F. Kennedy

Period: Jan 20, 1961 to Nov 22, 1963