Presidential History of the United States of America
Here is a brief history of the Presidency. Scroll down and you’ll find the years each president served, along with important speeches and documents from every president's time in office. You’ll also find images, audio and video to help you learn more about each president. Enjoy!
First Inaugural Address – April 30, 1789 - Text
Second Inaugural Address – March 4, 1793 - Text
Proclamation of Neutrality – April 22, 1793 - Text
Farewell Address – September 19, 1796 - Text
Other Resources
Visit the George Washington Papers Project at the University of Virginia
Visit George Washington’s estate, Mount Vernon.
Inaugural Address – March 4, 1797 - Text
Other Resources
The Adams Family Papers are held at the Massachusetts Historical Society. You can search an electronic archive of the papers here.
The Adams Family home is now part of the National Park Service. Learn more about it here.
First Inaugural Address – March 4, 1801 - Text
Second Inaugural Address – March 4, 1805 - Text
Other Resources
Visit the Jefferson Library
The Papers of Thomas Jefferson are being edited at Princeton University
First Inaugural Address – March 4, 1809 - Text
Second Inaugural Address – March 4, 1813 - Text
Other Resources
The Papers of James Madison are being edited for publication at the University of Virginia.
Learn more about Madison’s home, Montpelier.
First Inaugural Address – March 4, 1817 - Text
Second Inaugural Address – March 5, 1821 - Text
Inaugural Address – March 4, 1825 - Text
First Inaugural Address – March 4, 1829 - Text
Bank Veto – July 10, 1832 - Text
Other Resources
The Andrew Jackson Papers are being edited at University of Tennessee.
8. Martin Van Buren (1837-1841)
Inaugural Address – March 4, 1837 - Text
Inaugural Address – March 4, 1841 - Text
First Annual Message – December 7, 1841 - Text
Inaugural Address – March 4, 1845 - Text
Inaugural Address – March 5, 1849 - Text
First Annual Message – December 2, 1850 - Text
Inaugural Address – March 4, 1853 - Text
Inaugural Address – March 4, 1857 - Text
“A House Divided” Speech – June 16, 1858 - Text
Cooper Union Address – February 27, 1860 - Text
First Inaugural Address – March 4, 1861 - Text
July 4th Message to Congress – July 4, 1861 - Text
First Annual Message – December 3, 1861 - Text
Second Annual Message – December 1, 1862 - Text
Emancipation Proclamation – January 1, 1863 - Text
Gettysburg Address – November 19, 1863 - Text
Third Annual Message – December 8, 1863 - Text
Fourth Annual Message – December 6, 1864 - Text
Second Inaugural Address – March 4, 1865 - Text
Other Resources
The Complete Works of Abraham Lincoln are available online and are digitally searchable at the Abraham Lincoln Association.
First Annual Message – December 4, 1865 - Text
First Inaugural Address – March 4, 1869 - Text
Second Inaugural Address – March 4, 1873 - Text
Inaugural Address – March 5, 1877 - Text
Other Resources
Visit the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center
Inaugural Address – March 4, 1881 - Text
Other Resources
Visit the James A. Garfield National Historic Site
First Annual Message – December 6, 1881 - Text
First Inaugural Address – March 4, 1885 - Text
Inaugural Address – March 4, 1889 - Text
· President Harrison is believed to be the first president to have a record made of his voice. Here is the recording:
It’s hard to hear but he is saying:
"As president of the United States, I was present at the first Pan-American congress in Washington D.C. I believe that with God's help, our two countries shall continue to live side-by-side in peace and prosperity. . . Benjamin Harrison."
24. Grover Cleveland (1893-1897)
*Here is a recording of the first minute of a Cleveland’s campaign address:
Second Inaugural Address – March 4, 1893 - Text
Campaign Address - 1896 - The Address was delivered on his front porch
First Inaugural Address – March 4, 1897 - Text
*McKinley’s inauguration was the first to be captured on film. Here are some of the films captured at his inauguration by the Edison Film Company.
Inauguration – March 4, 1901
Second Inaugural Address – March 4, 1901 - Text
First Annual Message – December 3, 1901 - Text
Inaugural Address – March 4, 1905 - Text
Video:
Campaign Speech as Progressive Party Candidate - August 1912
Inaugural Address – March 4, 1909 - Text
Speech on the Abolishment of War Throughout the World – 1909
Campaign Address on Democratic Principles - 1912
First Inaugural Address – March 4, 1913 - Text
Address at Gettysburg – July 4, 1913 - Text
Message on Neutrality – August 20, 1914 - Text
“A World League for Peace” Speech – January 22, 1917 - Text
Second Inaugural Address – March 5, 1917 - Text
Address to Congress Requesting a Declaration of War Against Germany – April 2, 1917 - Text
Proclamation 1364 – April 6, 1917 - Text
Other Resources
Visit the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library
29. Warren G. Harding (1921-1923)
Inaugural Address – March 4, 1921 - Text
30. Calvin Coolidge (1923-1929)
* Calvin Coolidge was in the first presidential film with sound recording. Here is the video recorded on the White House grounds.
Video:
Inaugural Address – March 4, 1925 - Text
Other Resources
31. Herbert Hoover (1929-1933)
Inaugural Address – March 4, 1929 - Text
Campaign Speech – 1932
Other Resources
Visit the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library & Museum
32. Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933-1945)
First Inaugural Address – March 4, 1933 – Text and Audio
Video:
Fireside Chat 7: On the Works Relief Program and Social Security Act – April 28, 1935 – Text and Audio
Second Inaugural Address – January 20, 1937 – Text and Audio
Fireside Chat 9: On “Court-Packing” – March 9, 1937 – Text and Audio
Fireside Chat 14: On the European War – September 3, 1939 – Text and Audio
Fireside Chat 15: On National Defense – May 26, 1940 – Text and Audio
“Stab in the Back” Speech – June 10, 1940 – Text and Audio
State of the Union (Four Freedoms) – January 6, 1941 – Text and Audio
Third Inaugural Address – January 20, 1941 – Text and Audio
On Land Lease – March 15, 1941 – Text and Audio
Address to Congress Requesting a Declaration of War – December 8, 1941 – Text and Audio
Fireside Chat 19: On the War with Japan – December 9, 1941 – Text and Audio
Message to Congress Requesting War Declarations with Germany and Italy – December 11, 1941 – Text and Audio
Fourth Inaugural Address – January 20, 1945 – Text and Audio
Other Resources
33. Harry S. Truman (1945-1953)
Announcing the Surrender of Germany – May 8, 1945 – Text and Audio
Statement by the President Announcing the Use of the A-Bomb at Hiroshima – August 6, 1945 – Text
Announcing the Surrender of Japan – September 1, 1945 – Text and Audio
Truman Doctrine – March 12, 1947 – Text and Audio
Address before the NAACP – June 29, 1947 – Text and Audio
Inauguration – January 20, 1949 – Text and Audio
Video:
Farewell Address – January 15, 1953 – Text and Audiohttp://millercenter.org/scripps/archive/speeches/detail/3355
Other Resources
Visit the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum
34. Dwight D. Eisenhower (1953-1961)
Inauguration – January 20, 1953 – Text and Audio
Video:
Eisenhower Doctrine –January 5, 1957 – Text and Audio
Farewell Address – January 17, 1961 – Text and Audio
Other Resources
35. John F. Kennedy (1961-1963)
Address to the Greater Houston Ministerial Association – September 12, 1960 – Text and Audio
Video:
First Presidential Debate Between John F. Kennedy and Vice-President Richard Nixon – September 26, 1960
Video:
Inauguration – January 20, 1961 – Text and Audio
Video:
The Goal of Sending a Man to the Moon – May 25, 1961 - Text and Audio
Video:
Address on the Space Effort – September 12, 1962 – Text and Audio
Video:
Address on the Buildup of Arms in Cuba – October 22, 1962 - Text and Audio
Address on Civil Rights – June 11, 1963 – Text and Audio
Video:
“Ich bin ein Berliner” Speech – June 26, 1963 – Text and Audio
Video:
Other Resources
36. Lyndon B. Johnson (1963-1969)
Remarks at Gettysburg on Civil Rights – May 30, 1963 – Text and Audio
Address to Joint Session of Congress – November 27, 1963 – Text and Audio
Video:
Remarks upon Signing the Civil Rights Bill – July 2, 1964 – Text and Audio
Video:
Inauguration – January 20, 1965 – Text and Audio
Video:
Remarks on the Signing of the Voting Rights Act – August 6, 1965 – Text and Audio
Video:
Speech on Vietnam – September 29, 1967 – Text and Audio
Video:
Remarks on Decision not to Seek Re-Election – March 31, 1968 – Text and Audio
Video:
Remarks on Signing the Civil Rights Act – April 11, 1968 – Text and Audio
Video:
Remarks on the Cessation of Bombing of North Vietnam – October 30, 1968 – Text and Audio
Other Resources
37. Richard Nixon (1969-1974)
“Checkers” Speech – September 23, 1952 – Text and Audio
Video:
First Inaugural Address – January 20, 1969 – Text and Audio
Video:
Address to the Nation on the War in Vietnam – November 3, 1969 – Text and Audio
Video:
Remarks on Being Reelected to the Presidency – November 7, 1972 – Text and Audio
Second Inaugural Address – January 20, 1973 – Text and Audio
Video:
Address to the Nation Announcing an Agreement on Ending the War in Vietnam – Text and Audio
Video:
Address to the Nation About the Watergate Investigations – April 30, 1973 – Text and Audio
Video:
Address to the Nation About the Watergate Investigations – August 15, 1973 – Text and Audio
Video:
Address to the Nation on Presidential Tape Recordings – April 29, 1974 – Text and Audio
Video:
Address to the Nation Announcing Decision to Resign the Office of President – August 8, 1974 – Text and Audio
Video:
Remarks on Departure From the White House – August 9, 1974 – Text and Audio
Video:
Other Resources
38. Gerald Ford (1974-1977)
Remarks on Taking the Oath of Office – August 9, 1974 – Text and Audio
Video:
Remarks on Pardoning Richard Nixon – September 8, 1974 – Text and Audio
Video:
Remarks on Clemency for Vietnam Era Draft Evaders – September 16, 1974 –Text and Audio
Video:
Other Resources
Debate with President Gerald Ford – October 22, 1976 – Text and Audio
Video:
Inaugural Address – January 20, 1977 – Text and Audio
Video:
Statement on the Iran Rescue Mission – April 25, 1980 – Text and Audio
Video:
Debate with Ronald Reagan – October 28, 1980 – Text and Audio
Video:
Farewell Speech – January 14, 1981 – Text and Audio
Video:
Other Resources
Visit the Jimmy Carter Library and Museum
First Inaugural Address – January 20, 1981 – Text and Audio
Video:
“Evil Empire” Speech – March 8, 1983 – Text and Audio
Video:
Debate with Walter Mondale (Defense and Foreign Policy) – October 21, 1984 – Text and Audio
Video:
Second Inaugural Address – January 21, 1985 – Text and Audio
Video:
Address on the Space Shuttle “Challenger” – January 28, 1986 – Text and Audio
Video:
Address from the Brandenburg Gate (Berlin Wall) – June 12, 1987 – Text and Audio
Video:
Other Resources
41. George H. W. Bush (1989-1993)
Inauguration – January 20, 1989 – Text and Audio
Video:
Address to the Nation on the Invasion of Iraq – January 16, 1991 – Text and Audio
Address on the End of the Gulf War – February 27, 1991 – Text and Audio
Video:
Debate with Bill Clinton and Ross Perot – October 11, 1992 – Text and Audio
Video:
Other Resources
42. Bill Clinton (1993-2001)
First Inaugural – January 20, 1993 – Text and Audio
Video:
Second Inaugural – January 20, 1997 – Text and Audio
Video:
Remarks to the People of Rwanda – March 25, 1998 – Text and Audio
Video:
Statement on His Testimony Before the Grand Jury – August 17, 1998 – Text and Audio
Video:
Statement on Kosovo – March 24, 1999 – Text and Audio
Video:
Other Resources
43. George W. Bush (2001-2009)
Inauguration – January 20, 2001 – Text and Audio
Video:
State of the Union Address – January 29, 2002 – Text and Audio
Video:
Second Inaugural Address – January 20, 2005 – Text
Other Resources
Visit the George W. Bush Presidential Center
44. Barack Obama (2009- )
Inauguration – January 20, 2009 – Text and Audio
Video:
Other Presidential Resources
Learn more about the history of the White House.
Visit the National Portrait Gallery’s Hall of Presidents.
View Portraits of the Presidents and First Ladies as part of the American Memory Project at the Library of Congress
Presidential Papers
Visit the Presidential Speech Archive at the Miller Center of Public Affairs.
View Bibliographies for each U. S. President at the Scripps Library at the Miller Center of Public Affairs (University of Virginia)
Find Descriptions of Available Public and Private Papers of American Presidents at the Miller Center of Public Affairs (University of Virginia).
To further explore the Papers of the Presidents, visit The American Presidency Project at the University of California, Santa Barbara.
The Avalon Project at Yale Law School has also made certain presidential papers available online.
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