Presidents Day Lesson Plan - Table of all Presidents of the United States

John Adams was the second President of the United States, serving one term from 1797 to 1801. Prior to his presidency, he was one of the country's Founding Fathers and played a key role in the American Revolution, serving as a diplomat in Europe and helping to draft the Declaration of Independence.

George Washington was the first President of the United States, serving two terms in office from 1789 to 1797. He played a key role in leading the Continental Army to victory against Great Britain in the American Revolution, and is considered one of the country's Founding Fathers. Washington is widely regarded as one of the most important figures in American history.

Thomas Jefferson was the third President of the United States, serving two terms in office from 1801 to 1809. He was one of the country's Founding Fathers and played a key role in the American Revolution, serving as the primary author of the Declaration of Independence. Jefferson was also a polymath who made important contributions in fields such as architecture, archaeology, and natural history.

James Madison was the fourth President of the United States, serving two terms in office from 1809 to 1817. He was one of the country's Founding Fathers and is regarded as the "Father of the Constitution" for his role in drafting the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Madison also served as Secretary of State under President Thomas Jefferson and played a key role in leading the country to victory in the War of 1812.

James Monroe was the fifth President of the United States, serving two terms in office from 1817 to 1825. He was one of the country's Founding Fathers and played a key role in the American Revolution, serving as a delegate to the Continental Congress and as a battlefield commander. Monroe is best known for his foreign policy initiatives, including the Monroe Doctrine, which helped establish the US as a major player in international affairs.

John Quincy Adams was the sixth President of the United States, serving one term in office from 1825 to 1829. He was the son of John Adams, the second President of the United States. Prior to his presidency, Adams had a long and distinguished diplomatic career, serving as a diplomat in Europe and as the US Minister to several countries. As President, Adams is best known for his efforts to modernize the US government and promote national unity.

Andrew Jackson was the seventh President of the United States, serving two terms in office from 1829 to 1837. He was a war hero and a political outsider, and is credited with expanding the powers of the presidency. Jackson was a strong advocate for individual liberty and a strict construction of the Constitution, and his presidency is often associated with the rise of American democracy. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential and controversial figures in American history.

Martin Van Buren was the eighth President of the United States, serving one term in office from 1837 to 1841. He was a key advisor to President Andrew Jackson and served as his Secretary of State and Vice President. Van Buren was a skilled politician and a leading figure in the Democratic Party, and is credited with helping to create the modern political party system in the US.

illiam Henry Harrison was the ninth President of the United States, serving only 31 days in office in 1841 before his death. He was a war hero and veteran of the War of 1812, and is best remembered for his brief presidency and his death from pneumonia, which was the result of giving a lengthy inaugural address in bad weather. Despite his short time in office, Harrison had a significant impact on American politics.

John Tyler was the tenth President of the United States, serving one term in office from 1841 to 1845. He was Vice President under William Henry Harrison and became President following Harrison's death. Tyler was a former Democrat who became a Whig, and his presidency was marked by conflict with his own party and with Congress. Despite this, he is credited with helping to modernize the US government and with preserving the Union during a time of great political and social change.

James K. Polk was the eleventh President of the United States, serving one term in office from 1845 to 1849. He was a strong advocate for American territorial expansion and is best known for his foreign policy initiatives, which included the Mexican-American War and the annexation of California. Polk is often referred to as one of the most successful Presidents in American history, and is credited with modernizing the US government and expanding the country's influence and power on the world stage.

Zachary Taylor was the twelfth President of the United States, serving one term in office from 1849 to 1850. He was a war hero and veteran of the Mexican-American War, and is best remembered for his role in helping to preserve the Union during a time of great political and social change.

Millard Fillmore was the thirteenth President of the United States, serving one term in office from 1850 to 1853. He was Vice President under Zachary Taylor and became President following Taylor's death. Fillmore's presidency was marked by significant events, including the passage of the Compromise of 1850, which helped to ease tensions over slavery, and the opening of Japan to American trade. Despite his efforts to modernize the US government and promote national unity, Fillmore is often criticized for his handling of the issue of slavery.

Franklin Pierce was the fourteenth President of the United States, serving one term in office from 1853 to 1857. He was a Democrat and a former Senator from New Hampshire, and his presidency was marked by conflict and controversy, including the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act and the outbreak of violence in "Bleeding Kansas." Despite his efforts to modernize the US government and promote national unity, Pierce is widely criticized for his handling of the issue of slavery.

James Buchanan was the 15th President of the United States, serving from 1857 to 1861. Prior to his presidency, he served as Secretary of State under President James K. Polk and as a U.S. Congressman and Senator from Pennsylvania. Buchanan is often considered one of the least successful Presidents in American history, as his presidency was marked by rising tensions leading up to the American Civil War.

Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He is widely regarded as one of America's greatest heroes due to his role as leader during the American Civil War and for his efforts to end slavery through the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863.

Andrew Johnson was the 17th President of the United States, serving from April 1865 to March 1869. He became President after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln and was the first president to be impeached by the U.S. House of Representatives. Johnson was a Southern Democrat who was at odds with the Republican-dominated Congress over his Reconstruction policies for the former Confederate states.

Ulysses S. Grant was the 18th President of the United States, serving two terms from 1869 to 1877. Before his presidency, Grant was a highly successful general in the Union Army during the American Civil War, leading the forces that ultimately defeated the Confederacy. During his presidency, Grant worked to promote civil rights and economic growth, although his administration was also plagued by corruption scandals. Despite these controversies, Grant remains highly regarded for his military leadership and his commitment to preserving the Union during the Civil War.

Rutherford B. Hayes was the 19th President of the United States, serving from 1877 to 1881. He was elected in one of the most disputed elections in American history, and his victory was only secured after a controversial Electoral Commission awarded him the presidency. During his time in office, Hayes worked to reconcile the North and South after the Civil War and to promote civil service reform. He also took a strong stance against the use of federal troops to enforce Reconstruction policies in the South, leading to the end of the Reconstruction era. Despite his controversial election, Hayes is widely remembered as a president who worked to promote peace and stability in a country still recovering from the Civil War.

James A. Garfield was the 20th President of the United States, serving from March to September 1881. He was the second president to be assassinated in office, after being shot by a disgruntled office seeker just four months into his presidency. Prior to his presidency, Garfield served as a Union general in the Civil War and as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, where he was known for his opposition to political corruption. Despite his short time in office, Garfield is remembered for his efforts to reform the civil service and for his strong support of African American rights.

Grover Cleveland was the 22nd and 24th President of the United States, serving two non-consecutive terms from 1885 to 1889 and from 1893 to 1897. He was the first Democrat elected after the Civil War, and he is remembered for his commitment to a smaller federal government and his veto of several bills that he believed would increase the power of the federal government. Cleveland was known for his honesty and integrity, and he worked to combat political corruption during his presidency. He is also remembered for his response to a nationwide railway strike in 1894, which he resolved through the use of federal troops. Despite his controversial actions as president, Cleveland remains one of the few presidents to serve non-consecutive terms, and he is widely regarded as one of America's most honest and straightforward chief executives.

Benjamin Harrison was the 23rd President of the United States, serving from 1889 to 1893. He was the grandson of William Henry Harrison, the ninth President of the United States. During his presidency, Harrison promoted a pro-business agenda, signing into law the Sherman Antitrust Act and promoting high tariffs to protect American industries. He was also an advocate for African American rights, signing into law the first federal civil rights bill since Reconstruction. Despite his successes in office, Harrison was unable to secure a second term, losing to Grover Cleveland in the 1892 presidential election. Nevertheless, he is remembered as a president who worked to promote economic growth and to advance the cause of civil rights.

William McKinley was the 25th President of the United States, serving two terms from 1897 until his assassination in 1901. He was a Republican and a strong advocate for a strong federal government, and he is remembered for his expansionist policies, including the annexation of Hawaii and the Spanish-American War. During his presidency, McKinley also promoted a pro-business agenda, signing into law the highest tariffs in American history and promoting economic growth through the gold standard. Despite his successes in office, McKinley was assassinated by an anarchist in 1901, just six months into his second term.

Theodore Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States, serving two terms from 1901 to 1909. He was a larger-than-life figure, known for his energy, charisma, and reformist policies. Roosevelt was a progressive, advocating for regulation of big business, conservation of natural resources, and social justice. He is also remembered for his "Square Deal" domestic program, which promoted economic growth, conservation, and social justice. He is perhaps best known for his role in expanding American power on the world stage, including his efforts to build the Panama Canal and to promote American interests abroad. He is also remembered as the first president to take a strong stance on environmental conservation, setting aside vast areas of public lands as national forests and wildlife preserves.

William Howard Taft was the 27th President of the United States, serving one term from 1909 to 1913. Taft was a Republican and a conservative, who focused on promoting economic growth and maintaining the status quo, rather than pushing for reforms. He is best remembered for his role in promoting the establishment of the modern federal court system, including the creation of the U.S. Court of Appeals. Despite his successes in office, Taft's presidency was marked by controversy, including a split within the Republican Party over his policies and his increasing unpopularity with the American people. He lost his re-election bid in 1912 to Democrat Woodrow Wilson.

Woodrow Wilson was the 28th President of the United States, serving two terms from 1913 to 1921. He was a Democrat and a Progressive, and he is remembered for his leadership during World War I and for his efforts to promote social and political reforms at home. During his presidency, Wilson promoted a program of reforms known as the "New Freedom," which included the creation of the Federal Reserve System, the Clayton Antitrust Act, and the Federal Trade Commission. He is also remembered for his role in negotiating the Treaty of Versailles, which ended World War I, and for his advocacy of the League of Nations, an international organization aimed at promoting peace and cooperation among nations. Despite his successes in office, Wilson suffered a severe stroke in 1919, which limited his ability to lead the country and to advance his reforms.

Warren G. Harding was the 29th President of the United States, serving one term from 1921 until his death in 1923. He was a Republican and a conservative, who campaigned on a platform of "Return to Normalcy," advocating for a reduction of government involvement in the economy and a return to the traditional values and norms of American society. During his presidency, Harding signed several important pieces of legislation into law, including the Fordney-McCumber Tariff Act and the Budget and Accounting Act. However, his presidency was also marked by scandals, including the Teapot Dome Scandal, which resulted in several high-ranking officials being convicted of corruption.

Calvin Coolidge was the 30th President of the United States, serving from 1923 to 1929. He was a Republican and a conservative, known for his quiet demeanor and his belief in limited government and free-market economics. During his presidency, Coolidge signed several important pieces of legislation into law, including the Revenue Act of 1924 and the Immigration Act of 1924. He is also remembered for his response to the 1924 economic crisis, which included cutting government spending and reducing taxes. Despite his successes in office, Coolidge's presidency was marked by rising income inequality and growing poverty, and he is widely criticized for his failure to address these challenges.

Herbert Hoover was the 31st President of the United States, serving from 1929 to 1933. He was a Republican and a former mining engineer and humanitarian, who was best known for his work as U.S. Food Administrator during World War I and for his leadership of the American Relief Administration, which provided aid to war-torn Europe after the war. As President, Hoover faced the Great Depression, the most severe economic crisis in American history. Despite his efforts to address the crisis, including his advocacy of a "voluntary" approach to solving the problem, his presidency is widely regarded as a failure, marked by rising unemployment, widespread poverty, and growing public unrest.

Franklin D. Roosevelt was the 32nd President of the United States, serving from 1933 until his death in 1945. He was a Democrat and a Progressive, and he is widely regarded as one of America's greatest Presidents. During his presidency, Roosevelt faced two of the greatest challenges in American history: the Great Depression and World War II. To address the Great Depression, he implemented the New Deal, a series of programs and reforms aimed at promoting economic recovery and reform. During World War II, he led the country to victory, working closely with allies to defeat the Axis powers. He is also remembered for his role in establishing the modern American welfare state, through programs such as Social Security and the Fair Labor Standards Act. Despite his many accomplishments, Roosevelt also faced criticism and controversy, particularly for his efforts to increase the power of the federal government and for his internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. 

Harry S. Truman was the 33rd President of the United States, serving from 1945 to 1953. He was a Democrat and a World War I veteran, who assumed the presidency upon the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt. During his presidency, Truman faced several major challenges, including the aftermath of World War II, the beginning of the Cold War, and the Korean War. He is best known for his role in ending World War II, through his decision to use atomic bombs against the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and for his leadership during the early years of the Cold War. He is also remembered for his efforts to establish the modern American welfare state, through programs such as the Fair Deal and the Truman Doctrine, which established a policy of containment against the spread of communism. Despite his many accomplishments, Truman's presidency was also marked by controversy and criticism, particularly for his handling of the Korean War and for his anti-communist policies during the Red Scare.

Dwight D. Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States, serving from 1953 to 1961. He was a Republican and a five-star general in the U.S. Army, who served as Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe during World War II. During his presidency, Eisenhower faced several major challenges, including the Cold War, the civil rights movement, and the Space Race. He is best known for his efforts to end the Korean War and for his leadership during the early years of the Cold War, through policies such as the "New Look" defense strategy and the "Atoms for Peace" program. He is also remembered for his support of the Civil Rights Act of 1957 and for his efforts to promote peace and stability abroad through programs such as the Eisenhower Doctrine. Despite his many accomplishments, Eisenhower's presidency was also marked by criticism and controversy, particularly for his handling of the U-2 spy plane incident and for his reluctance to support the civil rights movement.

John F. Kennedy was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963. He was a Democrat and a charismatic leader, who inspired millions with his vision of a new frontier. During his presidency, Kennedy faced several major challenges, including the Cold War, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the civil rights movement. He is best known for his efforts to promote peace and stability, both at home and abroad, through programs such as the Peace Corps, the Alliance for Progress, and the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. He is also remembered for his support of the civil rights movement and for his efforts to promote economic growth and social justice through programs such as the New Frontier and the War on Poverty. Despite his many accomplishments, Kennedy's presidency was also marked by criticism and controversy, particularly for his handling of the Bay of Pigs invasion and for his support of the Vietnam War.

Lyndon B. Johnson was the 36th President of the United States, serving from 1963 to 1969. He was a Democrat and a former Senator from Texas, who assumed the presidency after the assassination of John F. Kennedy. During his presidency, Johnson faced several major challenges, including the Cold War, the civil rights movement, and the Vietnam War. He is best known for his efforts to promote social and economic reforms at home, through programs such as the Great Society, the War on Poverty, and the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Richard Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. He was a Republican and a former Vice President, who won the presidency with a platform of "law and order" and a promise to end the Vietnam War. During his presidency, Nixon faced several major challenges, including the Cold War, the Watergate scandal, and the anti-war movement. He is best known for his efforts to promote peace and stability, both at home and abroad, through policies such as détente with the Soviet Union, the opening to China, and the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency. He is also remembered for the Watergate scandal, which led to his resignation from the presidency, and for his efforts to promote law and order and to address social and economic issues, through programs such as the Family Assistance Plan and the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act.

Gerald Ford was the 38th President of the United States, serving from 1974 to 1977. He was a Republican and a former Vice President, who assumed the presidency after the resignation of Richard Nixon. Ford was the first President in American history to take office without being elected to either the presidency or the vice presidency. He is best known for his efforts to restore public confidence in the presidency and in the government, and for his efforts to promote peace and stability, both at home and abroad, through policies such as the Helsinki Accords and the East-West détente. He is also remembered for his efforts to promote economic recovery and growth, through policies such as the Economic Policy Board and the Emergency Loan Guarantee Act.

Jimmy Carter was the 39th President of the United States, serving from 1977 to 1981. He was a Democrat and a former Governor of Georgia, who won the presidency with a platform of honesty and reform. During his presidency, Carter faced several major challenges, including high inflation, energy shortages, and foreign policy crises, such as the Iranian Revolution and the takeover of the American embassy in Tehran. He is best known for his efforts to promote human rights and democracy around the world, through policies such as the Panama Canal Treaty and the Camp David Accords.

Ronald Reagan was the 40th President of the United States, serving two terms from 1981 to 1989. He was a Republican and a former Governor of California, who won the presidency with a platform of smaller government, lower taxes, and a strong national defense. During his presidency, Reagan faced several major challenges, including the Cold War, the Iran-Contra affair, and a struggling economy. He is best known for his efforts to restore America's confidence and strength, both at home and abroad, through policies such as the Reagan Revolution, the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), and the Tax Reform Act of 1986.

George H. W. Bush was the 41st President of the United States, serving from 1989 to 1993. He was a Republican and a former Vice President, who won the presidency after serving two terms as Vice President under Ronald Reagan. During his presidency, Bush faced several major challenges, including the end of the Cold War, the Persian Gulf War, and a struggling economy. He is best known for his efforts to promote stability and democracy around the world, through policies such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the intervention in Panama.

Bill Clinton was the 42nd President of the United States, serving two terms from 1993 to 2001. He was a Democrat and a former Governor of Arkansas, who won the presidency with a platform of "New Democrat" policies, focused on economic growth, individual opportunity, and social justice. During his presidency, Clinton faced several major challenges, including the ongoing global economic transformation, the emergence of new security threats, and political controversies, such as the Whitewater scandal and the Monica Lewinsky affair. He is best known for his efforts to promote economic growth and stability. He is also remembered for his efforts to promote individual opportunity, through policies such as the Family and Medical Leave Act and the AmeriCorps national service program.

George W. Bush was the 43rd President of the United States, serving two terms from 2001 to 2009. He was a Republican and a former Governor of Texas, who won the presidency in a highly controversial election and took office during a time of great change and uncertainty, following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. During his presidency, Bush faced several major challenges, including the War on Terror, the invasion of Iraq, and the 2008 financial crisis. He is best known for his efforts to promote security and stability, both at home and abroad, through policies such as the USA PATRIOT Act, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Iraq War. He is also remembered for his efforts to promote economic growth and opportunity, through policies such as the No Child Left Behind Act and the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act.

Barack Obama was the 44th President of the United States, and the first Afro-American President, serving two terms from 2009 to 2017. He was a Democrat and a former Senator from Illinois, who won the presidency with a platform of hope and change, focused on promoting unity, opportunity, and progress. During his presidency, Obama faced several major challenges, including the ongoing War on Terror, the 2008 financial crisis, and political polarization. He is best known for his efforts to promote healthcare reform, through the Affordable Care Act (also known as Obamacare), and for his efforts to promote economic recovery and growth, through policies such as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Obama remains a highly popular and influential figure in American politics, and is widely recognized for his efforts to promote unity, opportunity, and progress, both at home and abroad.

Donald Trump was the 45th President of the United States, serving one term from 2017 to 2021. He was a Republican and a former businessman, who won the presidency as an outsider, promising to restore the country to greatness. During his presidency, Trump faced several major challenges, including political polarization, the ongoing War on Terror, and the COVID-19 pandemic. He was known for his controversial policies, such as the "Muslim Ban," the withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement, and the repeal of net neutrality, as well as for his unconventional approach to politics and governing. Despite his many controversies and challenges, Trump remains a highly influential figure in American politics.

Joe Biden is the 46th President of the United States, serving since January 2021. He is a Democrat and a former Vice President under Barack Obama, and a former U.S. Senator from Delaware. Biden won the 2020 presidential election and took office during a time of great challenge. As president, Biden has focused on addressing the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic impact, promoting racial equity and justice, and restoring the country's standing on the world stage. He is also working to address other pressing issues, such as climate change, immigration reform, and infrastructure development. Biden has a long history of public service and is widely recognized for his experience and expertise in foreign policy, as well as for his efforts to promote social justice and equality.