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

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   connorjposted 11 years ago

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

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   scottcgruberposted 11 years ago

   Under the current U.S. Constitution, George Washington was the first President, and the first with executive branch authority.
   
   However, he was not the first with the title of President. Peyton Randoph, a former Speaker of the Virginia House of Burgesses, was elected the first President of the Continental Congress, serving from September 5 to October 22, 1774. He was also the third President, serving for about two weeks in May 1775.
   
   This President was not an executive, just a moderator presiding over debate in the Continental Congress, similar to the President pro tempore of the Senate today.

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      connorjposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Amazing, I should have known that someone on Hubs would know their history! What about John Hensen though?
      Thanks for your quick reply.

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      scottcgruberposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      John Hanson was the first full-term President under the Articles of Confederation, but there were two earlier Congresses with presiding officers titled President. By that standard, Hanson was the 16th or 17th President.

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      connorjposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you Scott Gruber; much appreciated...

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   BLACKANDGOLDJACKposted 11 years ago

   Now this brings up a fond memory. Years ago I was sitting in the office of the CEO and founder of now what is a Fortune 500 Company. This guy was a former history professor. He asked me the very question you ask. I didn't get it right. He pointed to a portrait of John Hanson on the wall in his office and explained why he was the first president. I didn't argue, and he hired me.

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      connorjposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I indeed was led to believe it was john also. Primarily because he was the first elected for a one year term...

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   nanderson500posted 11 years ago

   It was George Washington. The people before him (John Hansen and the rest) were under the Articles of Confederation. They were more like a prime minister or speaker of the house.

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      celafoeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      i agree

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   Neinahpetsposted 11 years ago

   Well I would have said George Washington, and I suppose looking at the US Constitution I'd have been right.

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      connorjposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      yes the first President under our Constitution was indeed George Washington; however, before that serving under our Articles of Confederation were quite a few "Presidents"...

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