The American Presidency was established by the United States Constitution in 1887. The Previous law of the land for all 13 colonies was the Articles Of Confederation. A document that reserved most of the power to the states. The Constitution provides for three branches of federal government. The legislative, Executive and Judicial. The powers of the presidency resides in the Executive Branch.

• 39th President Jimmy Carter
• 41st President George H. W. Bush
• 42nd President William J. Clinton
• 43st President George W. Bush
• 44th President Barack Obama

History and current events have shown each American President to be of great difference. Each individual possessing diverse character, strengths and weaknesses, while doing the best to their individual abilities. As honestly stated by the 26th American President.....

"It isn't how long you are president that counts, but what you accomplish as president. I've had my chance; I did fairly well with it. I made some kind of a place in history for myself. Someone else might have done better than I did, but I could not; for I did my best" ~Theodore Roosevelt

"Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:-- " I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of the president of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the constitution of the United States."

~United States Constitution, Article II, Section 1, Clause 8

Upon taking the oath the newly sworn in American Presidents communicate their vision for the country through the Inaugural Address (Speech). George Washington "The Father Of His Country" was the first American President of the United States to be inaugurated and to give an Inaugural address. He was sworn in on (April 30, 1789). The first to hold the high office. Both as Executive of the branch and Commander-In-Chief of the armed services.

"The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States; he may require the Opinion, in writing, of the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any Subject relating to the Duties of their respective Offices, and he shall have Power to Grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offenses against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment. "

~United States Constitution, Article II, Section 2

The first election, granting George Washington the presidency, took place on September 13, 1788, by the Continental Congress. The States chose the Electors on the first Wednesday in January, 1789. They cast their ballots on the first Wednesday in February.

"The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. He shall hold his Office during the Term of four Years, and, together with the Vice President, chosen for the same Term, be elected, as follows: Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the whole Number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress: but no Senator or Representative, or Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit under the United States, shall be appointed an Elector.

"The Electors" shall meet in their respective States, and vote by Ballot for two Persons, of whom one at least shall not be an Inhabitant of the same State with themselves. And they shall make a List of all the Persons voted for, and of the Number of Votes for each; which List they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the Seat of the Government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate. The President of the Senate shall, in the Presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the Certificates, and the Votes shall then be counted.

"The Congress may determine the Time of chosing the Electors, and the Day on which they shall give their Votes; which Day shall be the same throughout the United States. No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States.

"In Case of the Removal of the President from Office, or of his Death, Resignation, or Inability to discharge the Powers and Duties of the said Office, the Same shall devolve on the Vice President, and the Congress may by Law provide for the Case of Removal, Death, Resignation or Inability, both of the President and Vice President, declaring what Officer shall then act as President, and such Officer shall act accordingly, until the Disability be removed, or a President shall be elected.

"The President shall, at stated Times, receive for his Services, a Compensation, which shall neither be encreased nor diminished during the Period for which he shall have been elected, and he shall not receive within that Period any other Emolument from the United States, or any of them."

~United States Constitution, Article II, Section 1

• Read more text of the United States Constitution
• Read the (Bill of Rights)the first 10 amendments
• Read all the amendments to the U.S. Constitution

• Abraham Lincoln the 16th President
• James Abram Garfield the 20th President
• William McKinley the 25th President
• John F. Kennedy the 35th President

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