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

Alien and Sedition act

Jun 18, 1789

John Adams approved of four acts that collectively became known as the Alien and Sedition acts. These four acts became the most bitterly contested domestic issue during the presidency of John Adams.

Copyright law

May 31, 1790

George Washington signed the first U.S copyright law. A bill that permanently places nation's capital along the Potomac river.

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

Enabling Act

Mar 30, 1802

President Jefferson signs the Enabling Act, establishing procedures under which territories organized under the Ordinance of 1787 can become a state. The law effectively authorizes people of the Ohio territory to hold a convention and frame a constitution.

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

Secretary of Treasury

Aug 1, 1809

Madison persuades Albert Gallatin to remain secretary of treasury in the face of strong congressional opposition and discord within Madison's cabinet.

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.

Missouri Compromise

Mar 1, 1820

One of James Monroe biggest accomplishment is the Missouri Compromise. It proposed that slavery be prohibited.

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.

ports closed to British

Mar 1, 1827

Adams proclaims all American ports closed to trade with British colonies, suspending disagreements from an era of protracted contention with the British over tariffs, navigation and duties. Adams's declaration embodies his response to a rising Continental cartel of exclusive trading relationships.

ports closed to British

Mar 1, 1827

Adams proclaims all American ports closed to trade with British colonies, suspending disagreements from an era of protracted contention with the British over tariffs, navigation and duties. Adams's declaration embodies his response to a rising Continental cartel of exclusive trading relationships.

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.

Indian removal act

May 26, 1830

Congress passes the Indian Removal Act, sanctioning the forcible relocation of Creek, Chickasaw, Cherokee, Choctaw, and Seminole tribes to land allotments west of the Mississippi river. Ninety-four removal treaties follow the bill's enactment. From 1835 to 1838, Cherokee and Creek are forcibly removed from the Southeast onto reservations. Nearly one quarter die along what became known as the “Trail of Tears.”

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.

Independent Treasury Act

Jul 4, 1840

By signing the Independent Treasury Act, Van Buren “divorces” the federal Treasury Department from its relationship with all banks. His action stems from the controversy surrounding the Deposit Act of 1836. The Whigs will repeal the Independent Treasury Act in 1841; it will be restored in 1846.

death before any events

1841

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.

Webster- Ashburton Treaty

Aug 9, 1842

The signing of the Webster- Ashburton Treaty normalizes U.S.-British relations by adjusting the Maine-Brunswick border, settling boundary issues around western Lake Superior, and resurveying numerous smaller borders.

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.

The Oregon Treaty

Jul 15, 1846

The Oregon Treaty establishes the 49th parallel as the border between British and American claims to the Oregon Territory, granting the United States clear title to present-day Idaho, Washington, Oregon, and Montana, while granting to Britain territory above the 49th parallel and full control over Vancouver Island.

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.

Compromise of 1850

1850

Congress debates solutions to the issue of slavery's possible expansion into the territories won in the Mexican War. Henry Clay proposes the Compromise of 1850, and Daniel Webster with Stephen Douglas lead its supporters against the measure's opponents who coalesce around John C. Calhoun of South Carolina.

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.

Treaty with El Salvador

Jan 2, 1851

Acting on long-held interest in gaining influence in Central America, the United States ratifies its first commercial treaty with El Salvador.

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.

Kansa- Nebraska Act

May 30, 1854

President Franklin Pierce signed on the Kansa Nebraska act which was designed to solve the issue of expanding slavery into the territories, but failed

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.

Constitutional Union Party Nominates Bell

May 9, 1860

The Constitutional Union Party, comprised of remnants from the Whig and American parties, nominates John Bell for the presidency and Edward Everett for the vice presidency.

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.

Emancipation Proclamation

Jan 1, 1863

On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. With it, he freed all slaves in Confederate or contested areas of the South. However, the Proclamation did not include slaves in non-Confederate border states and in parts of the Confederacy under Union control.

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.

vetoes the Civil Rights Act

1866

Johnson vetoes the Civil Rights Act, a second attempt by Congress to provide freedmen with federal citizenship after the failed Freedmen's Bureau bill. The act sanctions the employment of federal troops for enforcement. The Senate overrides Johnson's veto on April 6. Three days later, the House of Representatives also overrides the veto.

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.

passed the civil service reform act

Feb 3, 1870

Grant signed the 15th amendment t the constitution giving black man the right to vote and later in 1871 congress passed the civil service reform act.

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.

Civil service reform

Jun 22, 1877

Following John Jay's investigation of the New York Customhouse, Hayes issues an Executive Order that forbids the involvement of federal employees in political activities. The President takes such action in the hope that it will curtail corruption; the Executive Order stipulates that those in office can no longer be dismissed for political reasons. Congress rejects additional proposals. These events testify to Hayes's interest in civil service reform.

Removes Nominations

1881

On the eve of the senatorial vote on the New York nominees, Garfield learns that Conkling intends to delay action on other nominees and moves for adjournment before Robertson can be considered. Garfield removes all of his nominations with the exception of Robertson.

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.

Washington day

Dec 21, 1883

Arthur issues a proclamation recommending the observance of the 100th anniversary of General George Washington returning his commission as commander-in-chief to the Continental Congress.

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.

Statue of Liberty

May 11, 1886

Cleveland recommends to Congress that the nation accept France's gift of the Statue of Liberty. The gift commemorates the alliance between the two countries during the Revolutionary War. The statue will be placed on Liberty Island, adjacent to Ellis Island off the New Jersey coast. Ellis Island will serve as a welcoming center for the soaring number of immigrants to New York City.

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

War Revenue Act

Jun 13, 1898

McKinley signs the war Revenue Act into law and later signs the Curtis act into law.

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.

Department of Commerce and Labor created

Feb 14, 1903

Roosevelt signs a bill creating the Department of Commerce and Labor, the ninth Cabinet office, which will itself emerge as two separate departments in 1913.

Travel aboard

1909

President Theodore Roosevelt travels to Panama, becoming the first U.S. president to travel abroad while in office.

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.

Completing the Panama Canal

Oct 10, 1913

From the White House, President Wilson detonates a charge to destroy the Gamboa Dike in Panama, leading to the completion of the Panama

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.

Emergency Tariff Act

May 27, 1921

In response to American public opinion, Harding and Congress pass the Emergency Tariff Act. Raising tariffs, especially on farm products, the temporary bill will be replaced one year later by the Fordney-McCumber Tariff Act, a permanent bill with even higher tariff rates. Designed to protect American products and end the post-war recession, such protectionist legislation ultimately destabilizes international commerce by heightening economic nationalism.

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.

Revenue Act becomes law

Feb 26, 1926

Coolidge signs the Revenue Act into law, as Harding's policy of “normalcy” morphs into keeping “cool with Coolidge.” With the goal of cutting the size of the Federal government, the Act reduces income taxes as well as other duties. While it helps the Republican Party weather the investigations of corruption under Harding, it further weakens the already deteriorating national economy.

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

Veterans Administration Act

Jul 3, 1930

Hoover signs the Veterans Administration Act, establishing the Veterans Administration. The act consolidates all existing federal agencies handling benefits for former servicemen into a single department

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.

Word Labor boarder

Jan 12, 1942

By executive order, FDR creates the War Labor Board (WLB), charged with maintaining the flow of war materials through the arbitration of labor disputes. Four days later, the Office of Production Management (OPM) will be replaced by the War Production Board (WPB).

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.

Social Security Amendment

1950

Truman signs the 1950 Social Security Amendments, expanding coverage and increasing benefits.

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.

Refugee Relief Act of 1953

Aug 7, 1953

Eisenhower signs the Refugee Relief Act of 1953, admitting 214,000 more immigrants than permitted under existing immigration quotas.

John F. Kennedy

Period: Jan 20, 1961 to Nov 22, 1963

36th president born on August 27 1908 in central Texas. Married Claudia "Lady Bird" Taylor in 1934. A vision to build " A Great Society" for the American People.

man on the moon

May 25, 1961

On May 25, 1961, President John F. Kennedy in an address to Congress challenged the nation to “commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon.” He asked Congress to find additional funds to support the nation's space program.

Lyndon B. Johnson

Period: 1963 to 1969

36th president born on August 27 1908 in central Texas. Married Claudia "Lady Bird" Taylor in 1934. A vision to build " A Great Society" for the American People.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Jul 2, 1964

Johnson signs The Civil Rights Act of 1964, outlawing discrimination based on race or color, sex, religion or national origin. This act also prohibits discrimination in voter registration as well as segregation in schools, employment and public accommodations.

Richard M. Nixion

Period: 1969 to 1974

37th president born in California on 1913. Attended at Whittier college and Duke University law school. Married Patricia Ryan in 1940 had two daughters Tricia and Julie. Served as a Navy lieutenant commander in the Pacific. After successfully ending American fighting in Vietnam and improving international relations with the U.S.S.R. and China, he became the only President to ever resign the office, as a result of the Watergate scandal.

Occupational Health and Safety Act of 1970

Dec 29, 1970

Nixon signs the Occupational Health and Safety Act of 1970, which gives the secretary of labor the responsibility of setting workplace safety standards for jobs in the United States.

Gerald R. Ford

Period: Aug 9, 1974 to 1977

38th president born in Omaha Nebraska on 1913. Was the House minority leader. Starred on the University of Michigan football team then went to Yale. Served as assistant coach while earning his law degree. Married Elizabeth Bloomer had four children Michael, John, Steven, and Susan.

Freedom of Information Act passed

Nov 21, 1974

The Freedom of Information Act is passed over Ford's veto. It provides expanded access to government files and allows secrecy classifications to be challenged in court and justified by the appropriate federal authorities.

James Carter

Period: 1977 to 1981

39th president born October 1, 1924, in Plains, Georgia. Upon graduation in 1946 from the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, Carter married Rosalynn Smith. The Carters have three sons, John William, James Earl III, Donnel Jeffrey, and a daughter, Amy Lynn.

Mediation at Camp David

Sep 5, 1978

Carter mediates talks between Prime Minister Menachem Begin of Israel and President Anwar Sadat of Egypt at Camp David, resulting in a peace treaty between the two nations.

Ronald Reagan

Period: 1981 to 1989

40th president born February 6 1911. Son of John Reagan and Nelle. Attended high school nearby Dixion went Eureka college. Studied economics, sociology, played on the football team, and acted in school plays. Married actress Jane Wyman who passed in 2001 and then married Nancy Davis on 1952

State of the Union

Jan 26, 1982

Reagan calls for “New Federalism” in his State of the Union address, advocating less federal spending and more state initiative to solve social and economic problems.

george H.W. Bush

Period: 1989 to 1993

41st president Born in Milton, Massachusetts, on June 12, 1924. Enlisted in the armed forces. Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for bravery in action. Married Barbara Pierce.

Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty

Jul 10, 1991

signed the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START I) with Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, leading to substantial reductions in nuclear weapons stockpiles.

William J. Clinton

Period: 1993 to 2001

42nd president born on August 19 1946 in Hope Arkansas. Graduated from Georgetown University and in 1968 won a Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford University. Married Hillary Rodham, a graduate of Wellesley College and Yale Law School.

Clinton Signs NAFTA

Dec 8, 1993

On December 8, 1993, President Bill Clinton signed the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which eliminated nearly every trade barrier between the United States, Canada, and Mexico, creating the world's largest free trade zone.

George W. Bush

Period: 2001 to 2009

43rd president born in New Haven, Connecticut. Was transformed into a wartime President in the aftermath of the airborne terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, facing the “greatest challenge of any President since Abraham Lincoln.”

No Child Left Behind

Jan 8, 2002

President Bush signs an education reform bill with bipartisan support; this reauthorized the Johnson-era Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. Known as the No Child Left Behind Act, it offers local authorities greater flexibility in spending federal dollars, but requires standardized math and reading tests.

Barack Obama

Period: 2009 to 2017

44th president Obama married Michelle Robinson, a lawyer who had also excelled at Harvard Law. Their daughters, Malia and Sasha, were born in 1998 and 2001. Went to Harvard Law School

Signing of first bill

Jan 29, 2009

The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act become law. The bill makes it easier for people to challenge unequal pay complaints and is designed to help address the wage gap between men and women.

Donald Trump

Period: 2017 to 2021

45th president born in Queens, New York, on June 14, 1946. Married Melania Knauss. They have one son, Barron. Trump also has four adult children from previous marriages: Donald Jr., Ivanka, Eric, and Tiffany. Was educated at the New York Military Academy and the Wharton School of Finance and Commerce at the University of Pennsylvania.

Travel ban

Jan 27, 2017

President Trump signs an executive order that denies entry into the United States for people from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen, and suspends the Refugee Admissions Policy for 120 days. Trump’s travel ban sparks large protests and legal challenges. As a result of legal challenges, Trump revises the executive order.

Lowering Costs of Families’ Everyday Expenses

2021

Joe Biden

Period: 2021 to 2024

current president married Jill Jacobs in 1977. English professor at a community college in Virginia.