Who was the first president of the United States, how many presidents has the United States had, and what is the list of all US presidents?

The first president of the United States was George Washington, and the US has had 46 presidents so far.

The American president serves as both the head of state and the head of government, overseeing the executive branch and functioning as the commander-in-chief of the US military. Since the adoption of the Twenty-second Amendment in 1951, the presidency has been limited to a maximum of two terms per individual. 

The first president of the United States

The journey of the US presidency began with George Washington, the nation’s first president. Elected in 1789, Washington served two terms, concluding his presidency in 1797. Before his presidency, Washington had already gained national recognition as the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. His leadership in securing independence from Britain and his subsequent role in shaping the new nation made him the unanimous choice for president.

Washington’s tenure was marked by achievements, including establishing key institutions that would become the backbone of the US government. He signed the Judiciary Act of 1789, which established the federal court system. He also oversaw the creation of the first Cabinet, a group of advisors who help the president in decision-making. Washington’s approach to foreign policy was one of neutrality, particularly in European conflicts, a stance that shaped U.S. diplomacy for years to come.

His refusal to seek a third term set an important precedent, emphasizing the peaceful transition of power, a hallmark of American democracy. As a testament to his influence, Washington remains a highly revered figure in American history, often called “The Father of His Country.”

How many presidents has the United States had?

As of October 2024, the United States has had 46 presidents, with Joe Biden currently serving as the 46th. The US presidential office has seen its share of remarkable leaders, from those who steered the country through wars to those who advocated for civil rights, shaped economic policies, and expanded America’s influence globally.

One interesting aspect of US presidential history is that one man, Grover Cleveland, served two non-consecutive terms, making him both the 22nd and 24th president of the United States. This unique situation is why Joe Biden is listed as the 46th president, even though he is only the 45th individual to hold the office.

A complete list of U.S. presidents

Here is a chronological list of all U.S. presidents, their birthplaces, political parties, and terms of office:

No.PresidentBirthplacePolitical PartyTerm of Office
1George WashingtonVirginiaIndependent1789–1797
2John AdamsMassachusettsFederalist1797–1801
3Thomas JeffersonVirginiaDemocratic-Republican1801–1809
4James MadisonVirginiaDemocratic-Republican1809–1817
5James MonroeVirginiaDemocratic-Republican1817–1825
6John Quincy AdamsMassachusettsDemocratic-Republican1825–1829
7Andrew JacksonSouth CarolinaDemocratic1829–1837
8Martin Van BurenNew YorkDemocratic1837–1841
9William Henry HarrisonVirginiaWhig1841*
10John TylerVirginiaWhig1841–1845
11James K. PolkNorth CarolinaDemocratic1845–1849
12Zachary TaylorVirginiaWhig1849–1850*
13Millard FillmoreNew YorkWhig1850–1853
14Franklin PierceNew HampshireDemocratic1853–1857
15James BuchananPennsylvaniaDemocratic1857–1861
16Abraham LincolnKentuckyRepublican1861–1865*
17Andrew JohnsonNorth CarolinaDemocratic (Union)1865–1869
18Ulysses S. GrantOhioRepublican1869–1877
19Rutherford B. HayesOhioRepublican1877–1881
20James A. GarfieldOhioRepublican1881*
21Chester A. ArthurVermontRepublican1881–1885
22Grover ClevelandNew JerseyDemocratic1885–1889
23Benjamin HarrisonOhioRepublican1889–1893
24Grover ClevelandNew JerseyDemocratic1893–1897
25William McKinleyOhioRepublican1897–1901*
26Theodore RooseveltNew YorkRepublican1901–1909
27William Howard TaftOhioRepublican1909–1913
28Woodrow WilsonVirginiaDemocratic1913–1921
29Warren G. HardingOhioRepublican1921–1923*
30Calvin CoolidgeVermontRepublican1923–1929
31Herbert HooverIowaRepublican1929–1933
32Franklin D. RooseveltNew YorkDemocratic1933–1945*
33Harry S. TrumanMissouriDemocratic1945–1953
34Dwight D. EisenhowerTexasRepublican1953–1961
35John F. KennedyMassachusettsDemocratic1961–1963*
36Lyndon B. JohnsonTexasDemocratic1963–1969
37Richard M. NixonCaliforniaRepublican1969–1974**
38Gerald R. FordNebraskaRepublican1974–1977
39Jimmy CarterGeorgiaDemocratic1977–1981
40Ronald ReaganIllinoisRepublican1981–1989
41George H. W. BushMassachusettsRepublican1989–1993
42Bill ClintonArkansasDemocratic1993–2001
43George W. BushConnecticutRepublican2001–2009
44Barack ObamaHawaiiDemocratic2009–2017
45Donald TrumpNew YorkRepublican2017–2021
46Joe BidenPennsylvaniaDemocratic2021–Present

*Died in office. 

**Resigned from office.

Emem Ukpong
Emem Ukponghttps://stimulus-check.com/author/emem-uk/
Hello, I'm Emem Ukpong, a Content Writer at Stimulus Check. I have a Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry, and several professional certifications in Digital Marketing—where I piqued interest in content writing/marketing. My job as a writer isn't fueled by a love for writing, but rather, by my passion for solving problems and providing answers. With over two years of professional experience, I have worked with various companies to write articles, blog posts, social media content, and newsletters, across various niches. However, I specialize in writing and editing economic and social content. Currently, I write news articles and informational content for Stimulus Check. I collaborate with SEO specialists to ensure accurate information gets to the people looking for it in real-time. Outside of work, I love reading, as it relaxes and stimulates my mind. I also love to formulate skin care products—a fun way to channel my creativity and keep the scientist in me alive.

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