The United States of America, the country with the largest economy in the world and a significant cultural impact, has been shaped piece by piece by some of the brightest minds. Since 1789, the year when the office was established, the United States has had 45 presidents. Each of them contributed to the country’s development in their own way, with someone’s achievements being more significant than others’.
From Theodore Roosevelt to Dwight D. Eisenhower, here’s a list of American leaders who left the most remarkable mark on the history of the United States.
- George Washington (1789–1797), Unaffiliated
George Washington, the Father of the Nation and the first ever president of the United States, played the most crucial part in the development of the country. Before becoming the president, Washington was a two-time war hero in the French and Indian War (1754–1763) and the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783).
Since a young age, he was known as a brave and capable leader, primarily due to his contributions to the above-mentioned wars. Washington is the only president not to have been affiliated with any political party during his time in office and has played a key role in the drafting and ratification of the U.S. Constitution. He served two terms as president and then voluntarily stepped down, setting the standard of a two-term limit.
- Abraham Lincoln (1861-1865), Republican Party, National Union
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th president of the United States. He’s widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the country’s history. Born in 1809 in Hodgenville, Kentucky, he had little access to formal education and instead taught himself, eventually becoming a self-taught lawyer.
His speech Gettysburg Address, which he delivered during the American Civil War (1861-1865), touched on aspects such as equality, democracy, and sacrifice and legacy. It’s also the most-quoted piece of oratory in American history.
His presidency was for sure one of the most transformative periods in the history of the country. In 1863, he issued the Emancipation Proclamation, an executive order that declared that all enslaved people in Confederate-held territories were to be set free.
- Theodore Roosevelt (1901-1909), Republican
Known for his energetic personality and progressive reforms, the 26th president of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt, began his term at 42 years old, which makes him the youngest U.S. president to ever hold the office.
Despite being born in New York to a wealthy family, Roosevelt struggled with health issues, including asthma, myopia (to the point where he couldn’t recognize his own sons without glasses), and bleeding tendency. These struggles, however, didn’t hinder him from making significant contributions to the country.
The 26th U.S. president enforced the Sherman Antitrust Act to break up monopolies, pushed for the Meat Inspection Act and Pure Food and Drug Act (1906), and intervened in the 1902 Coal Strike, where he took a neutral stance to protect public interests.
Roosevelt was an environmentalist and established 18 national monuments, 55 federal bird reservations, 150 national forests, and 5 national parks. In general, he established a whole of 230 million acres of public lands.
Roosevelt advocated for pro-labor laws, a decreased workweek, and workplace safety rules. He and his administration also laid important groundwork for future reforms regarding child labor.
- Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933-1945), Democratic Party
The 32nd president of the United States, Franklin D. Roosevelt is the only U.S. president who served more than two terms. He was elected four times (1932, 1936, 1940, and 1944) and died at the start of his fourth term in 1945.
Roosevelt ruled the country during the Great Depression and World War II, two of the most challenging periods that the nation had to face. During these periods, he held so-called “fireside chats” on the radio, where he communicated with the American people to boost public morale during difficult times.
In just the first three months of his presidency, Roosevelt pushed through a significant number of reforms and programs. This period was known as “The First 100 Days”, which showed with what urgency he ran the reforms in times of crisis.
- Dwight D. Eisenhower (1953-1961), Republican
Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 34th U.S. president, also known as Ike, was a five-star general in the U.S. Army and Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Forces during World War II. During his studies at the U.S. Military Academy, he was ranked 61st academically out of 164 graduates.
His personal qualities and impressive military background made him a strong candidate for the presidency. In 1952, he retired from the army and actively started to run his presidential campaign. With his middle-class background and war achievements, he instantly impressed the public and gained significant support.
During his time as U.S. president, Eisenhower created the Interstate Highway System and boosted economic growth. He also created NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) in response to the Soviets’s launch of Sputnik, putting America on a pedestal in space exploration.
While in office, Eisenhower signed an armistice to end the Korean War and sought to improve the relationships with the Soviet Union after the death of Josef Stalin.