List of every US president: full timeline from 1789 to today

What's the word from the White House?

The President of the United States is one of the most powerful and influential political positions on the planet. Often dubbed 'the leader of the free world', presidents throughout history have taken on a range of responsibilities, from seeing the country through wars, to pardoning a turkey every year on Thanksgiving.

Since 1789, 45 different people have held the position, but who are they?

Well, here at BBC Bitesize, we've put together this guide to the history of the US presidency, from who the first president was, to who's in office now, to where the president lives and the whole host of names who have held the position over the years.

A timeline of former presidents on a US flag background, features: George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, Barack Obama and Donald Trump

Who was the first president of the United States of America?

The first president of the United States of America was George Washington, who held the position from 1789 - 1797.

Washington, who led the American army during the War for Independence, was inaugurated on 30 April 1789 in New York City. Leaving in 1797, Washington set the precedent for US presidents only serving for two terms, which was officially ratified in 1951, with the 22nd Amendment.

Washington is one of the four presidents to be immortalised on Mount Rushmore, an iconic US landmark featuring sculptures of four former presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln.

The head of George Washington, President of the United States, sculpted into the granite rock of Mount Rushmore. — Image caption,
The head of George Washington sculpted into Mount Rushmore.

Who is the current president of the United States of America?

Donald Trump is the current president of the United States, becoming the first president to serve non-consecutive terms since Grover Cleveland.

Trump is the 47th president of the United States, succeeding Joe Biden after beating former Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 US presidential election.

Trump's previous term began in 2016, before he lost the presidency to Joe Biden in the 2020 US election.

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a ceremony at the White House. — Image caption,
U.S. President Donald Trump

What do you have to do to be President of the United States?

If presidential ambitions are on your horizon, there are a few key criteria you have to hit first. As outlined by the US constitution, candidates must be at least 35 years old, be a natural born US citizen and have been a resident of the United States for 14 years.

Once in office, there are other restrictions on the office of the President, most notably the two-term limit outlined in the 22nd amendment. The tradition of a two-term limit for presidents was set by George Washington, the very first president, and continued by all subsequent presidents, until Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Roosevelt was elected to the office of president on four occasions between 1933 and 1945, making him the longest serving president of all time.

In 1951, the 22nd amendment was officially ratified, stating that no person could be elected to the role of president more than twice, thereby instituting a two-term limit on all future presidents. The amendment was passed due to the fear that without term limits, the presidency could become a dictatorship. A presidential term lasts for four years, so by instituting a two-term limit, the 22nd amendment ensured that no person could hold office for a period of longer than eight years.

Where does the US president live?

In rom-com 'The American President', the White House is described as 'the greatest home court advantage in the modern world', playing host to leaders and dignitaries from right across the world throughout its illustrious history.

But, alongside its role as the home of US democracy, the White House is also a home to the US President and the first family. Originally dubbed the 'Executive Mansion', the White House was given its official name by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1901, who requested the name be imprinted on all official stationery in a letter to Secretary of State John Hay.

Home to every President except the first, the White House has gone through a number of renovations over the years, including the creation of the now-iconic West Wing in 1902.

In 1909, the first Oval Office was constructed - located in the West Wing, the Oval Office serves as the formal workplace of the president. Also found in the West Wing are the Situation Room, where the president and high-ranking personnel can monitor critical world events, the Cabinet Room, a meeting room for officials and advisors to the president, and offices for the president's senior staff.

The Oval Office and the West Wing as a whole have been immortalised in various photographs, films and television shows - not least Aaron Sorkin's hit drama 'The West Wing'.

How many US presidents have there been?

In total, 45 people have served as US president across 47 different presidencies. The difference in number comes as a result of two presidents who served non-consecutive terms, meaning they left office before returning again later down the line.

In total, 21 presidents have served for two terms, though not all of them were completed. William McKinley and Abraham Lincoln were assassinated during their second terms, while Richard Nixon resigned during his, due to the Watergate scandal.

Other presidents who served two shortened terms include Harry Truman and Lyndon B. Johnson, both of whom took over the presidency after the incumbent president died, before going on to be elected for another term. Lyndon B. Johnson took over following the assassination of John F. Kennedy who, unlike Lincoln and McKinley, was killed during his first term in office, on 22 November 1963.

Franklin D. Roosevelt was the only president to serve more than two terms, being elected a total of four times between 1936 and 1944. The two term limit for presidents was, to that point, more of an unwritten rule, though was drafted into the United States Constitution in 1951.