Presidents' Names A Popular Baby Name Trend Using American Presidents' Names for Baby Naming Inspiration The Colombian Way Ltda/Moment/Getty Images A slew of films about presidents over the past few years have likely contributed to the popularity of using presidents' names as baby names. From the Academy Award-winning Lincoln starring Daniel Day-Lewis to the dissection Nixon's post-presidency in Frost/Nixon. And if anything has held true about baby naming trends over the past several decades, Hollywood's movies and actors often have a big influence. Consider the rise in popularity of names like Madison , Ethan , Noah , Olivia , or any of the Old Hollywood Names that have enjoyed a resurgence. And if nothing else, some parents might like the idea of giving their child a name with a "presidential" feel. James, William and John, which were the first names for many presidents, have been staples on the list of most popular baby names over the past hundred years.

Here's how the list breaks down so far: 6 presidents named James: Buchanan, Carter, Garfield, Madison, Monroe, Polk 4 presidents named John: Adams, Quincy Adams, Kennedy, Tyler 4 presidents named William: Clinton, Harrison, McKinley, Taft 3 presidents names George: Washington, George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush 2 presidents named Andrew: Jackson and Johnson 2 presidents named Franklin: Pierce and Roosevelt But now presidents' last names repurposed as first names have become popular among Millennial parents as well. Here are the most popular first names on the most recent baby names list that are also presidents' last names. Madison This last name of our fourth president, James Madison has been a top ten name on the girls' list for more than 20 years. Made popular by the 1984 movie Splash, this name has been far and away the most popular president's name to hit the charts for girls. Jackson This name of the ninth president, Andrew Jackson, who may or may not lose his spot on the $20 bill, has become a popular name for boys, breaking into the top 20 just in the past two years.

Tyler He's slipped a bit in recent years, but at the turn of the millennium, Tyler was one of the top names for boys. John Tyler was the tenth president, who ascended to office upon the death of president William Henry Harrison. Carter Also likely buoyed by the 1990s television series ER, which had a central character named Carter, the name of the 39th president Jimmy Carter has broken into the top 50 on the boys' chart over the past decade. Kennedy This name of the 35th president, John F. Kennedy, has seen modest popularity on the list of girls' names, busting into the top 100 in 2011. Kennedy is another odd last-name-as-first-name occurrence. Here are some other presidents' names that have registered on the top 1000 baby name charts recently. Grant Taylor for both boys and girls, but much more popular for girls. McKinley Most Popular Presidents in U.S. History - TheTopTens® Most Popular Presidents in U.S. History anthonybecerra831 The Top Ten XW 1 John F.

Kennedy John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy, commonly referred to by his initials JFK, was an American politician who served as the 35th President of the United States from January 1961 until his assassination in November 1963. The Cuban Missile Crisis, The Bay of Pigs Invasion, the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, the ... read more . John Fitzgerald Kennedy knew there were conspiracies within the US government. He was on his way to exposing them. That is why this wonderful man was taken from us so early. As was his brother Bobby whose intentions were the same. To expose the corrupted politicians that sought to destroy our country. He had great dreams for the US, dreams his son wanted to go forth with and yet again he was taken also. There will never be another like JFK. Truly a world leader, admired not only in his country but all of the world, from Northern Ireland to deepest Africa. JFK was once of a kind and the US will never heal the searing wound that his premature death brought. A conflicted man for sure but one who despite his privileged life understood the responsibilities of the office as few have since.

Outstanding President V 33 Comments 2 Barack Obama Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th president of the United States of America. He was elected in 2008 after serving in the Senate from 2005-08, beating John McCain and becoming the first African-American to be elected President of the United States. He was elected again in 2012, beating Mitt Romney. This President had to face one of the worst economic downturns in the history of the nation. In addition, the opposition party declared that this President would not get any help from the opposition party. This President had this nation number one enemy captured, where his predecessors could not accomplish. This President got a health bill through congress without the help of the opposition party. It is unfortunate that this country is still listening to the wrong parts of the citizens who do not want equity and harmony in this country. President Obama has performed without the opposition being able to hurt him. 1. The first non-white President. 2. Appointed two females to The Supreme Court. 3. Saved the country from a depression. 4. Inherited two unfunded/unnecessary wars. 5. Re-elected with 50% of the popular vote. 6.

Forced to work against a race-biased GOP opposition and media. This man inherited a bag of garbage from Bush. He has done a marvelous job in his office, considering where he began by having to dig us out of the unbelievable mess Bush left, to say nothing of the opposition from the Republican party and the despicable racism from the American people. He is the best. A real person who cares about everybody in the country V 47 Comments 3 Abraham Lincoln Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865 . Lincoln led the United States through its Civil War - its bloodiest war and its greatest moral, constitutional, and political crisis . The way he handled the civil war, no other would have done that I really like Lincoln, he was my favorite president. He was not perfect at everything but he tried his best his whole life.

I couldn't believe he was killed Lincoln was a strong guy he was a great wrestler if he saw booth he would of killed that coward thank you for freeing us - Jackhammer619 I can't believe he is not the top he freed slave while JFK had many affairs Jackie deserved better V 12 Comments 4 Ronald Reagan Ronald Wilson Reagan was an American politician and actor who was 40th President of the United States from 1981 to 1989 . Prior to his presidency, he was the 33rd Governor of California from 1967 to 1975, following a career as a Hollywood actor and union leader . Ronald Reagan always had America's best interest at heart. He made us proud to be Americans. Creating millions of jobs and taking us out of the darkness that was caused by inflation and infighting. The word's that echo in my ears still today are "tear down this wall" and so it was the Berlin wall came down. He was always so respectful of his military and so proud of them. He was a good one, better then most. Wished we had another like him.

Reagan did not think he would ever become President but he took to the role and excelled. Guided by Godly principles, he returned the trust of the people and left America better after 8 years, fighting inflation, creating millions of jobs and connecting people for freedom. Other leaders at that time could only ask about the "American miracle". This is not really an opinion because according to an average person Reagan is the best. Bush serously more than 1/2 of the people hate him. Lincoln is popular today but not then he was president. Obama is the worst president (along w/ Bush) we had yet. - russian An amazing president. He was able to get Iran to release the American hostages on his first day of office, something the former president, Jimmy Carter failed to do. He was powerful, and made us feel like we, as a country, could do anything. V 33 Comments 5 George Washington George Washington was the first President of the United States, the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. Washington was the primary founding father of our nation as he led the militia and continental army into crucial battles.

Once the war was won, he continued on to be the chairman of the constitutional convention and later the first and only unanimously elected president of the United States. He was considered to be a war hero and demigod among the people allowing him to have ample power to form the union. Being nonpartisan, he led the young country through its early growing pains and left it a more stable institution at the time of his retirement. Only Abraham Lincoln had the influence on our nation. Popularity is over rated. My vote went to the man who I believe was the greatest President of our Nations History. All had faults, all had strengths. I love how he was the first president of the United States and how he was president for eight years. I love him. He is My idol. He is the best president. He might be number two. But he is Number one in your heart! Put him in mom 3 V 8 Comments 6 Franklin D. Roosevelt Franklin Delano Roosevelt, commonly known as FDR, was an American statesman and political leader who served as the President of the United States from 1933 to 1945.

A Democrat, he won a record four presidential elections and dominated his party for many years as a central figure in world events during ... read more . He was elected 4 times, no other president has ever been elected 4 times most is 2. Since he was elected 4 times he must be an outstanding president that the people elected him that many times. He was elected 4 times, no other served the U S that length of time and in that span of time did an outstanding job as President. He led the entire nation out of America's great depression. I think that says enough about this amazing man. He was incredible in doing his job during the depression. Pure inspiration. V 8 Comments 7 Bill Clinton How this man was ever elected the second time is beyond me. One is never really two different people, moral and honest in one situation and corrupt in another. He really pulled the wool over the eyes of millions of people with his smooth talk. No this man should have never been elected the first time, and definitely never the second time. The fact that he is on this list does not speak well of the citizens of this country!

No disrespect to Ronald Reagan, but how in the world he is ahead of Bill Clinton--how even Clinton is not in first place to begin with is beyond me! The 90's were pretty good... Bush the senior may have done a few things right economically and deserves a little credit, but Clinton led the country with vision and an even keel. Why do we have to worry about his affairs? It seriously doesn't matter. When he was president, overall america was HAPPY. It didn't really have many problems and people there were HAPPY. V 9 Comments 8 Theodore Roosevelt Theodore Roosevelt was an American statesman, author, explorer, soldier, naturalist, and reformer who served as the 26th President of the United States from 1901 to 1909. As a leader of the Republican Party during this time, he became a driving force for the Progressive Era in the United States in the ... read more . An incredibly tough person, who survived an assassination attempt during a campaign speech, and with the bullet lodged against his ribs, still finished up the speech before going to the hospital. A shame we have nobody like that today. How is Barack Obama ahead of this guy?

Anyone ever heard of the Rough Riders? Anyone ever heard of Obama's second-term dictatorship? - Rpemk Leader who accomplished much. Panama Canal, Our national parks, building up our navy, making the United States a dominant force in the world. Was a likeable, witty person, who told it like it was. Teddy bears are named after him. How cute is that? 9 Thomas Jefferson Thomas Jefferson was an American Founding Father who was principal author of the Declaration of Independence. Come on, he is the best! Scientist, atheist, smart guy who didn't involved in any shady business, participated in creation of the Bill of Rights, his quotes are inspiring till now,... I could go on forever like this. He is just the best, hands off Jeez, I hope a lot of the voters on this list are non-Americans, who can be excused for not being familiar with all of the names. Otherwise, it reflects very poorly on our current educational system.

10 Lyndon Johnson Lyndon Baines Johnson, often referred to as LBJ, was the 36th President of the United States from 1963 to 1969, assuming the office after serving as the 37th Vice President of the United States under President John F. Not only did he pass the Civil and Voting Rights Acts Kennedy put into motion before his assassination, but his charisma with Congress assured him the passage of those bills. Under the Kennedy Administration, there was not enough party support for the bills but Johnson not only garnered it, he made sure they would pass. Also he passed Medicare and Medicaid, two of the most important pieces of health care legislation. He understood what the persecuted needed. He was a man who represented the minority: the discriminated, the hungry, the poor, etc. No, in my opinion, Lyndon Johnson should be on the list for the top ten worst Presidents. Just look up pics. Of him on Google, and read the stories that go along with it and you'll see why.

I'm convinced Johnson was in on JFK's assassination - bobbythebrony The Contenders 11 Richard Nixon Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974 when he became the only U.S. He was a great but deeply complicated man, who had good intentions but didn't always do the right thing. His leadership and intelligence helped ease tensions with the USSR and brought China into the international community. He was a great and flawed man, but he was a man. While Nixon is more commonly hated than any other president, he is easily the most well known. We teach children about him, constantly mock him, and his name is now synonymous for lying. There really isn't a contest here. Again another president that didn't take the job seriously and is a disgrace to the country V 3 Comments 12 John Tyler John Tyler was the tenth President of the United States. He was also, briefly, the tenth Vice President, elected to that office on the 1840 Whig ticket with William Henry Harrison. A President I know nothing about, but he sounds like a jerk.

Expanded slavery in western territories Added Texas to the union Became president after William Henry Harrison's death V 2 Comments 13 John Adams John Quincy Adams was an American statesman who served as the sixth President of the United States from 1825 to 1829. He also served as a diplomat, a Senator and member of the House of Representatives. He wrote " May none but honest and wise men ever rule under this roof." 14 James Monroe Although, economic panic took place under his administration, James Monroe continued to be a popular leader as he had an ear for popular opinion. Was president during the Era of Good Feelings 15 Andrew Jackson Andrew Jackson was an American statesman who served as the seventh President of the United States from 1829 to 1837 . He was born near the end of the colonial era, somewhere near the then-unmarked border between North and South Carolina, into a recently immigrated Scots-Irish farming family of relatively ... read more . His face is on a twenty dollar bill he should be number 4 or 5? He is a badass action hero who saved New Orleans from the Bloody Brittish.

I think he owed slaves and I'm not sure he was a good President, but he was the man in 1812! He made great strides for the common American citizen He did not trust the u.s bank V 5 Comments 16 Harry S. Truman Harry S. Truman was the 33rd President of the United States, an American politician of the Democratic Party. V 2 Comments 17 Dwight D. Eisenhower Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was an American politician and general who served as the 34th President of the United States from 1953 until 1961. He was a five-star general in the United States Army during World War II and served as Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe. He thought in the army he deserves respect V 2 Comments 18 George W. Bush George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States from 2001 to 2009 and 46th Governor of Texas from 1995 to 2000. The eldest son of Barbara and George H. W.

There's an old saying Tennessee, I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee, that says elect a moron like me president once, shame one me, elect a moron like me president twice, shame one you. Worst president of all time I don't even know what his picture is doing here. You don't here of critics because he is white. What a shame. He was a good president but not the best... he did a lot for america like helped with 9/11 and Katrina. I turned 18 just in time to vote against this War mongering corporate puppet. No dice... V 5 Comments 19 Andrew Johnson Andrew Johnson was the 17th President of the United States, serving from 1865 to 1869. Johnson became president as he was vice president at the time of the assassination of [Abraham Lincoln]. V 1 Comment 20 Gerald Ford Ranking the Top 10 Most Influential Presidents 1. Abraham Lincoln Abraham Lincoln (March 4, 1861 – April 15, 1865) saved the Union during the American Civil War .

His leadership during the war was one of no compromise but at the same time understanding that he would eventually have to unite the states once the North won the war. His actions eventually led to the abolition of slavery across the United States. More » continue reading below our video What are the Seven Wonders of the World Herbert Hoover and Franklin Roosevelt Riding to the Capitol for the Roosevelt's Inauguration. Architect of the Capitol. 2. Franklin Delano Roosevelt Having won four terms as President, Franklin Roosevelt (March 4, 1933 – April 12, 1945) was sure to have a huge impact on the United States. FDR's leadership throughout World War II was key to our victory. Further, he worked tirelessly to end the Great Depression including the creation of numerous programs through his New Deal to help Americans get back on their feet. More » Washington Crossing the Delaware by Emanuel Leutze, 1851. Metropolitan Museum of Art 3. George Washington As the first President, George Washington (April 30, 1789 – March 4, 1797) couldn't help but set precedents that were followed by later Presidents.

His lack of a desire to be seen as a 'monarch' was an extremely important part of creating a citizen President. Also, the fact that he retired after two terms set a precedent only broken by Franklin Roosevelt . After Roosevelt's death, the two-term limit was added as the 22nd amendment to the Constitution. More » Portrait of President Thomas Jefferson. Getty Images 4. Thomas Jefferson Through Thomas Jefferson's (March 4, 1801 – March 4, 1809) Louisiana Purchase , the size of the United States doubled overnight. Jefferson was a strong states' rightest who also realized the need for consolidating power in the federal government in certain instances. More » Andrew Jackson. Getty Images 5. Andrew Jackson Andrew Jackson's (March 4, 1829 – March 4, 1837) election showed the rise of the common man. He was the first president elected from humble beginnings. His popularity was huge. Further, he was a strong nationalist who often made controversial decisions such as the removal of Native Americans east of the Mississippi. He was President during the 'Trail of Tears'. He also fought against the national bank.

More » Underwood Archives/Archive Photos/Getty Images 6. Theodore Roosevelt Theodore Roosevelt (September 14, 1901 – March 4, 1909) was an extremely influential President. Not only did TR earn the title of 'Trust Buster' as President by fighting against corrupt businesses, but he also was deeply committed to conservation. He established numerous national parks to preserve the wildlife that was quickly being overtaken through industrialization. More » 28th President Woodrow Wilson and wife Edith in 1918. Getty Images 7. Woodrow Wilson Woodrow Wilson (March 4, 1913 – March 4, 1921) piloted the ship that brought America onto the world stage. He made the first steps of leading us out of isolationism, violating Washington's tenet of avoiding foreign entanglements. He led America during World War I . His fervent hope was for the US to join a League of Nations, the precursor to the United Nations . More » Harry Truman Receiving a Turkey for Thanksgiving. Harry S. Truman Library 8.

Harry S Truman Harry S Truman (April 12, 1945 – January 20, 1953) took over after the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt . He made one of the hardest decisions in American History by deciding to drop the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He presided over the end of World War II and set precedents for leadership during the beginning of the Cold War . More » James K. Polk. Library of Congress 9. James K. Polk After Thomas Jefferson , James K. Polk (March 4, 1845 – March 4, 1849) increased the size of the United States more than any other president through the acquisition of California and New Mexico as a result of the Mexican-American War . He also claimed Oregon Territory after a treaty with England. He was a key figure in manifest destiny . He was also an extremely effective leader during the Mexican War. He is considered to be the best one-term president. More » Dwight D. Eisenhower takes the Oath of Office as the President of the United States during his Inauguration January 20, 1953 in Washington D.C.

Also pictured is former president Harry S. Truman and Richard M. Nixon. National Archive/Newsmakers.

National Archive/Newsmakers Names of Presidents and First Ladies President's and First Ladies' Names Alphabetically Presidents' First Names Presidents' Middle Names Presidents' Last Names First Ladies' First Names First Ladies' Maiden names Abraham Abram Adams x 2 Abigail Appleton Andrew Alan Arthur Anna x 3 Bouvier Andrew Baines Buchanan Barbara Carow Benjamin Birchard Bush x 2 Caroline Childress Calvin Clark Carter Claudia "Lady Bird" Custis Chester David Cleveland Dolly Davis Dwight Delano Clinton Edith x 2 Dent Franklin x 2 Earl Coolidge Eleanor x 2 deWolf George x 3 Fitzgerald Eisenhower Eliza Doud Gerald Gamaliel Fillmore Elizabeth "Bess" Fulsom Grover Henry Ford Elizabeth "Betty" Galt Harry Herbert Walker Garfield Elizabeth "Eliza" Gardiner Herbert Howard Grant Ellen Goodhew James x 5 Jefferson Harding Florence Henry John x 4 Knox Harrison x 2 Frances Herndon Lyndon Milhous Hayes Hannah Herron Martin Quincy Hoover Helen Hoes Millard Rudolph Jackson Hillary Johnson Richard S Jefferson Ida Kortright Ronald Simpson Johnson x 2 Jacqueline McCardle Rutherford Walker Kennedy Jane Pierce Theodore Wilson Lincoln Julia x 2 Powers Thomas Madison Laura Robards Ulysses McKinley

 Lou Rodham Warren Monroe Louisa Roosevelt William x 4 Nixon Lucretia Rudolph Woodrow Pierce Lucy Ryan Zachary Polk Margaret Saxton Reagan Martha x 2 Scott Roosevelt x 2 Mary Skelton Taft Mary "Mamie" Smith x 3 Taylor Nancy Symmes Truman Rachel Taylor Tyler Rosalynn Todd x 2 VanBuren Sarah Wallace Washington Thelma "Patricia" Warren Wilson Webb Welch Presidential Election Facts - U.S.

Presidents - HISTORY.com Presidential Election Facts A+E Networks Introduction With more than two centuries’ worth of U.S. presidential elections, the historical ledger is filled with an array of facts. For example, when Barack Obama was named the 44th president, he was really only the 43rd president because Grover Cleveland is counted twice. And with Article II, Section 1, Clause 5 of the U.S. Constitution stating that a citizen has to be at least 35 years old to become president, John F. Kennedy came the closest to that limit by earning election at age 43. Learn about the only bachelor to be elected president, the four candidates to have won the popular vote and lost the election and more. Google The 2000 election was not the first time a candidate won the popular vote but lost the election. It has happened four times in our nation’s history: In 1824 Andrew Jackson won the popular vote but got less than 50 percent of the electoral votes. John Quincy Adams became the next president when he was picked by the House of Representatives. In 1876 Samuel Tilden won the popular vote but lost the election when Rutherford B.

Hayes got 185 electoral votes to Tilden’s 184. In 1888 Grover Cleveland won the popular vote but lost the election when Benjamin Harrison got 233 electoral votes to Cleveland’s 168. In 2000 Al Gore won the popular vote but lost the election to George Bush. In the most highly contested election in modern history, the U.S. Supreme Court stopped the Florida recount of ballots, giving Bush the state’s 25 electoral votes for a total of 271 to Gore’s 255. Grover Cleveland was elected president (1884) then lost his re-election campaign (1888) and came back again to win the presidency for a second time. (1892) Barack Obama is the nation’s 44rd president but in reality there have only been 43 presidents. Grover Cleveland is counted twice as our 22nd and 24th president because he was elected for two nonconsecutive terms. Only 12 U.S. Presidents have been elected to office for two terms and served those two terms. Franklin D.

Roosevelt was elected to office four terms prior to the Twenty-second Amendment. Article II, Section 1, Clause 5 of the U.S. Constitution has only three requirements for a president. (1) Must be at least 35 years old, (2) have lived in the United States at least 14 years, and (3) be a natural-born citizen. John Kennedy is the youngest elected U.S. President at 43. Ronald Reagan is the oldest elected U.S. President at 73. (second term) The only President and Vice President to never be elected to the office was Gerald Ford . He became vice president when Spiro Agnew resigned and became president when Nixon resigned. The tallest U.S. President was Abraham Lincoln at 6’4″The shortest U.S. President was James Madison at 5’4″ Percent wise – the 1992 election was the biggest turnout since 1972 with 61.3 percent off the voter age population heading to the polls. James Buchanan is the only bachelor to be elected president. Eight presidents have died in office. William Henry Harrison (pneumonia) Franklin D.

Roosevelt (cerebral hemorrhage) John F. Kennedy (assassin) Ronald Reagan is the only divorced man to be elected president. James Monroe received every electoral vote but one in the 1820 election. A New Hampshire delegate wanted George Washington to be the only president elected unanimously. The U.S. Marine band has played at every presidential inauguration since 1801. President John Tyler is believed to be the first to use “Hail to the Chief” as the official Presidential honors. President Bill Clinton was born William Jefferson Blythe but took his stepfather’s last name when his mother remarried. He formally changed his name to William Jefferson Clinton when he was 15. Victoria Woodhull became the first woman to run for President in 1872. Hillary Clinton became the first woman to be nominated for president by a major party ticket in 2016. Jeanette Rankin of Montana became the first woman elected to Congress in 1916. John Mercer Langston became the first elected black politician in the United States in 1855 when he was elected Town Clerk in Brownhelm, Ohio .

Twelve of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence were 35 years or younger. Martin Van Buren was the first natural-born American to become president in 1837. Each of the seven previous presidents were born as British subjects.Article II, Section 1, of the Constitution states; Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation: “I do solemnly swear [or affirm] that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” Access hundreds of hours of historical video, commercial free, with HISTORY Vault . Start your free trial today. Tags Best Presidents of the United States - Top Ten List - TheTopTens® Best Presidents of the United States wideup The Top Ten 1 Abraham Lincoln (16) Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865 . Lincoln led the United States through its Civil War - its bloodiest war and its greatest moral, constitutional, and political crisis .

Should be above Bush, you think 911 was worse than the civil war? Clinton balanced the budget and actually left a surplus but top 5? No. Personally don't think Bush43, Clinton, JFK, or Nixon belong in the top 10. JFK was not a good president, just remembered well. Nixon was a brilliant politician but remembered as a shady scumbag, even compared to other politicians. FDR elected 4 times but if it weren't for WWII his new deal would have destroyed America not to mention court packing is worse than what Nixon did. FDR = shadiest president every (adulterer, internment camps, undercutting his own party to win a 3rd term... ) Obama is the worst for the deficit so far of any president in history and he won a nobel prize because they hoped that he wouldn't vote on a troop surge, which he did anyway. Those aren't arguments for praise. Any honorable recipient would have returned it after his decision but he was probably busy visiting the last of the "57" states. Washington had the ... more Abraham Lincoln is the reason the United States is still United and began the elimination of racism by ending slavery.

To do this he began a largely unpopular but necessary war. This made him hated to the point where he was assassinated but he went through with his decision anyway. Would any politician today do this? I doubt it. Abraham Lincoln was man you could change his ideas. Like slavery he first thought it was good. Then he realized that slavery was wrong. He did almost everything to fix the country. No other president thought about slavery should be wrong or even segregation. Martin Luther king jr was not a president but still fought for what is right. Only Abraham Lincoln thought slavery was wrong. He was a man of changes and does what should be right among us. If he didn't exist there still would be slavery and African Americans would not be equally treated. So I think Abraham Lincoln should be the best president in history. A masterful politician and leader when our country needed one more than ever. He saved the union and put slavery behind us. He gave his life for his country. V 542 Comments 2 George Washington (1) George Washington was the first President of the United States, the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States.

Even more than Jefferson or Madison he fought for a balance between state and federal government. Not to mention he believed in what he was doing. - LadyLioness #1. (no party) The father of this nation. If it wasn't for him, we simply would not be here and would never have gotten the experience to live in the best country in the world. It is because of strong and heroic men like him, that we live free today and he is a constant reminder of our democracy and the reason why our flag stands up strong and will continue to serve us forever and ever! Don't get me wrong. I love America. But even if the country I am about to say did have an evil, evil history and terrible leaders, it got better after a bit. I'm proud to be 1/4 of the country who brought us Albert Einstein, even if Steven Hawking is smarter. Germany FOR THE WIN! George Washington kept the fledgling nation alive during one of its greatest challenges, and did it without circumventing the constitution. However, the most remarkable thing about his presidency is that I can't think of anything bad to say about his time in the office.

Bush jr., Reagan, FDR, JFK, and Clinton belong nowhere near the top 10. He is the father of our great country. V 204 Comments 3 Ronald Reagan (40) Ronald Wilson Reagan was an American politician and actor who was 40th President of the United States from 1981 to 1989 . Prior to his presidency, he was the 33rd Governor of California from 1967 to 1975, following a career as a Hollywood actor and union leader . #40. (Republican) he was able to fix the economy, create twenty million new jobs, lower inflation rates, exempt low income Americans, create economic stability for small businesses, lower taxes, and bring in an end to the Cold War with his concise and effective foreign policy skills. He also was able to survive a gun shot and return to his duty only three weeks later. A real true American who believed in this country and a real true father to Conservatism! Even the democrats loved him. Good Bless Reagan.

The only president that was true to his word, most people that don't like him want a pacifist in charge, why do you think we are still bad ass Ronald Reagen is top president. He is a real but kicker, and if you see this in heaven ron I'll say you're the best president that ever lived and is still living. The most successful U.S president on the economic and social plan, an icon to respect forever! 4 Thomas Jefferson (3) Thomas Jefferson was an American Founding Father who was principal author of the Declaration of Independence. I personally don't understand how anyone can out rank this founding father, other than General Washington, for his role in creating the Americas. But even then - what is America if not free? Jefferson was one of those rare independent thinkers, who spent his life studying the nature of man; and when you read what he wrote, it was all spot on. All his warnings and insistence on keeping power at a local, state level, where people could be held accountable for their actions were warnings that the entire world, not just America can learn from in today's globalist governments who act with impunity.

He was unfortunately the last of a dying breed of men, whose education of Latin and philosophy was soon traded for the ideals of the industrial revolution. I often wonder what Jefferson would think of the modern world. Yes, our lives are incredibly easy and comfortable, but are we truly free? Would he sit back as the fed rapes and ruins what he fought for. Or would he ... more Thomas Jefferson is one of the most underrated presidents ever. The fact that G.W. bush and Bill Clinton were voted above Jefferson is bad enough, but Lincoln being number two is unbelievable. Lincoln destroyed Jefferson's vision of a free, VOLUNTARY union of sovereign states. If people understood history, Bush, Clinton, LINCOLN, and all other imperialist presidents would be voted down as some of the worst presidents in the history of the country. Read Jefferson's Declaration of Independence and it will become clear that every president which was voted above Jefferson (with the exception of Washington) supported policies which were counter to the founders' vision. Thomas Jefferson was a Hypocrite... he might have come up with the Declaration of Independence but he refuse to free the slaves because their absence would make his life hard. I have not respect his efforts.

Thomas Jefferson was a hero, visionary, revolutionary thinker, as well as architect and all around genius. Any man who rejects these facts is just plain stupid and to replace them with the slavery scandal will be just as much so. What jefferson provided for this nation far surpasses any of his person shortcomings which all presidents even Washington and especially Lincoln, and to judge his political character by these would be foolish. Why is this bloke #4?! His second term almost bankrupted america! He should be #20 at the most! V 80 Comments 5 Franklin D Roosevelt (32) Franklin Delano Roosevelt, commonly known as FDR, was an American statesman and political leader who served as the President of the United States from 1933 to 1945. A Democrat, he won a record four presidential elections and dominated his party for many years as a central figure in world events during ... read more . No one greater than Roosevelt. He was dead before I was born, but I can barely look at his picture without crying. My parents were children in the depression, and credited this man for literally saving them from starvation.

Mother said no one was working, had any food, or money, and lived in daily fear of what would happen to them. They would listen to his fireside chats on the radio, and she said the fear would lift at the sound of his voice, and calm come over the house. He assured them they would be taken care of, not to worry, and the government trucks started delivering the potted meat and some staples. I have been told that almost every American home at that time had his picture hanging on the wall of their homes. Unless you lived during those times, you cannot fully appreciate what this man did. He saved America, paralyzed from a wheel chair. I adore this man. Lead us through one of the toughest times this country has ever faced. How could Governor Bush even be on this list. Yes I still call him governor because that's the only political position he's actually ever fairly won (remember Al Gore and Florida? ) - crazyeyes56 He got us through the Great Depression and WWII, and yet George Bush (who got us IN a depression and a war) is still ahead of him. That just doesn't make sense. Above every other president. He saved our butts.

If it weren't for his leadership during the depression, we wouldn't have became the industrial hub of WWII, and the Axis Powers would have won. He saved the free world. He saved everything that the founding fathers made this country for. V 263 Comments 6 Theodore Roosevelt (26) Theodore Roosevelt was an American statesman, author, explorer, soldier, naturalist, and reformer who served as the 26th President of the United States from 1901 to 1909. As a leader of the Republican Party during this time, he became a driving force for the Progressive Era in the United States in the ... read more . An honest politician, if there is such a thing. A man who actually cared about the average American citizen and the environment. He was brave in conflicts on the battlefield and in Washington. I'm not what you would call an educated man (only high school grad. ) But I can read and from what I have read, I feel I am right. We would have no National Parks if it was for him. A great solider, sportsman, conservationist, and most of all President. Thank God for Teddy Roosevelt. #26.

(Republican) strong imperialistic leader who's influence on government is still vital to the U.S. today with the creation of the Big Stick Policy. His love for nature and keeping America's national landmarks forever reserved is a constant symbol representing our pride and integrity! He also installed other effective policies such as the Meat Inspection Act and was determined to fight for the workers rights and benefits for the many Americans affected by America's Industrial Period. Come on, he was a cowboy for one, and was even shot before giving a speech but still gave it. He was an amazing man and president V 138 Comments 7 John F Kennedy (35) John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy, commonly referred to by his initials JFK, was an American politician who served as the 35th President of the United States from January 1961 until his assassination in November 1963. The Cuban Missile Crisis, The Bay of Pigs Invasion, the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, the ... read more . Seriously? George W. Bush is # 1? All he did was start the Iraq and Afghanistan War, not to mention he barely helped at all when Hurricane Katrina came through. Now JFK, he was amazing.

He started the Peace Corps, started the Space Race, made sure African Americans had equal rights in housing( And would've done more for Civil Rights if he served longer), made sure Steel industries couldn't raise their prices over and over, and stopped the Cuban Missile Crysis, and he didn't even serve a full term! So JFK deserves first or second for sure. I don't disagree with you that JFK was a good president; however, to blame the Iraq/Afghan War on George Bush is absolutely ignorant of the entire remainder of the story. - themusicking101 People who say JFK doesn't belong in the top ten obviously don't know JFK at all. He negotiated the Cuban Missile Crisis, which stopped a potential nuclear war, he was the one who started the Space Race which ultimately landed an AMERICAN on the moon, and he was a war hero, Purple Heart bearer who was willing to die for his country long before he actually did. I would cast my vote for JFK as one of the best presidents ever any day. He also caused the Cuban Missile Crisis (via the Bay of Pigs invasion) - marmalade_skies He's was the only Irish-Catholic president ever, and he was the youngest elected president ever.

No one can represent the world, let alone America, as well as this guy. He would've completely solved any problems with Russia or Cuba, and who knows, even Korea or the Middle East. This guy knew what he was doing, unlike some other guys (ahem... Bush). He fought for Spanish rights in the 1960's, while Reagan, opposed it. V 300 Comments 8 Dwight D. Eisenhower (34) Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was an American politician and general who served as the 34th President of the United States from 1953 until 1961. He was a five-star general in the United States Army during World War II and served as Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe. #34. (Republican) the strong and heroic WW2 general who lead the successful attack on Normandy. He helped the Americans defeat Hitler and it is because of his efficient military actions that helped us win V.E. day (Victory in Europe Day). If it wasn't for him, Hitler would have probably taken over the world, killed the rest of the Jews, and would have the remaining people still living under nazi occupation.

Eisenhower was not only a superb war general but also a great president who was a strong civil rights activist and dedicated his presidency to stopping the spread of segregation across America. Not only did he get us out of WW2, but later during his presidency, he also got us out of the Korean War. The fact that he was able to get us out of two wars is very astonishing and is something that not everyone can achieve in their lifetime! However, he did it and he did it well! The reason why America rose to be a GREAT nation. He built our national infrastructure. He built our space program. He educated our population. He WARNED of the military industrial complex. He oversaw 8 years of peace during one of the worst periods in history. He was everything that Republicans today despise. A very skilled politician who helped ease Cold War tensions and downsized the military-industrial complex, focusing on air power. While he was not personally invested in preventing segregation, he enforced court orders against it. He left most of the New Deal and Fair Deal intact as well. Overall, a very effective politician who fits the label "conservative" in a literal sense. Modern Republicans probably wouldn't support a candidate like him though.

He was the father of NASA for goodness sake! Need I go on? - BoltMarksman V 59 Comments 9 William Clinton (42) William Jefferson Clinton was the 42nd President of the United States . He previously served as governor of Arkansas . He became president after unseating incumbent president, George H . W Bush in 1992 . He was re-elected in 1996 after defeating Senator Bob Dole . I've lost all faith in this list and in the people who have voted Bush as the 2nd best president, though I'm not surprised if you get your info from Fox News or even MSNBC. The economy was BOOMING fantastically during this man's terms, and he knew how to work with both the Democratic and Republican party. Gas was cheaper than it ever was under George W Bush (and Barack Obama's first term. Another thing is that Bush DID NOT inherit a recession from Clinton; he inherited a SURPLUS and drove it into the ground, and yet the man is second place on this list?! Really, being rated ahead of Truman, John Adams, Polk, Jackson and Coolidge. All of his domestic legislation was initiated by Newt Gingrich or Bob Dole.

Some of it was excellent and fortunately public opinion forced him to sign the legislation. In fairness to Bill he did expand NATO and built Middle East pipelines around our enemies, but he did screw up in his deals with N. Korea and China. If teachers would really teach American History he would not be rated any where near this level It was the best era in my life time. The economy was good. I had my first job and making good money. There was so much prosperity and so much surplus then little Bush took us to war in Middle East and took it all away. While he helped to create the financial collapse through deregulation which would come to affect the US economy in later years, he was the only President in most current history that balanced the budget w/o a deficit. His personal life aside, he worked very well as a leader in foreign affairs, was a good negotiator, and domestically we as citizens could not have asked for more from a President. He worked well with Congress and created great economic prosperity. I will always remember this a great time in American History. V 204 Comments 10 James Madison (4) James Madison, Jr.

was a political theorist, American statesman, and served as the fourth President of the United States. #4. (Democratic-Republican) the father of the bill of rights who helped create the individual demands and benefits that still hold true to the American people this very day! Another perfect example of a founding father who's policies helped America succeed and improve its conditions for a stronger and more reliable nation. His strong inspiration and courage is a constant reminder of the civil liberties that represent our constitution and law of the land. He was a very well-informed person, and many admired this about him. Because he knew so much and contributed a lot to the debates, Madison was called "Father of the Constitution." Also, Madison he took notes -published in The Federalist Papers- which are today our best record of what happened during the Constitutional Convention. Madison argued for federalism (power being divided between the states and national government), which eventually won over antifederalism (states having more power than the national government). Madison helped convince Virginia, which as a whole was opposed to a stronger central government, to ratify the Constitution. Madison was secretary of state for Thomas Jefferson (some even commented he controlled the president! ) and then became president himself.

While he was president, the U.S. faced the War of 1812. Personally, James Madison is my favorite president He led the nation through the War of 1812, securing US sovereignty for generations to come. He was also the father of the constitution and help to write the Federalist Papers without which we might not have democracy in the world today. A major intellectual contributor to the formation of the government...the Federalist papers are a very interesting and important read. The Contenders 11 John Adams (2) John Quincy Adams was an American statesman who served as the sixth President of the United States from 1825 to 1829. He also served as a diplomat, a Senator and member of the House of Representatives. #2. (Federalist) another founding father who's examples lead to the creation of the constitution and declaration of independence. It is because of his actions that lead to our freedoms and fought for our rights as American citizens. He is also the well known successor of our nation's first president George Washington and continued to carry out his dreams and responsibilities that made America stand strong to this very day! With few exceptions, John Adams is unmatched in Character, morals and honor.

Of those in the 'top 10' only Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson come close to matching Adams. He is one of the original founding fathers, as a lawyer he defended the British soldiers in the Boston massacre (and got them equitted in a Boston courtroom full of people who wanted to hang them). He consistantly voted for what he believed was right (including voting for Indian rights) even when it was not popular. What president in the last 50 years would do that? He was a little paranoid and played a huge role in leading to the collapse of the Federalist Party. He refused to listen to anything Hamilton ever told him, even if it made sense. He was also against many Federalist principles such as a standing army and consequently caused a deep rift in the party. He was the only president before Lincoln who disgusted slavery V 35 Comments 12 Andrew Jackson (7) Andrew Jackson was an American statesman who served as the seventh President of the United States from 1829 to 1837 . He was born near the end of the colonial era, somewhere near the then-unmarked border between North and South Carolina, into a recently immigrated Scots-Irish farming family of relatively ... read more .

Jackson's policies toward Native Americans will haunt the population for ever in that he went against the Supreme Court and stationed US troops in Georgia in an attempt to settle and drive all of them out on the Trail of Tears. If only more people knew this travesty. You forgot the part about Scalp Bounties though -- it gets even uglier. - theOpinionatedOne He got rid of the Federal Reserve, which most Americans have no idea is not part of the federal government. Fought the British as a 13 year old. Fought the British at New Orleans and whipped their butts. There was no national debt for the first and last time in history. As far as the trail of tears, bad deal for the civilized tribes for sure but you never hear of anyone wanting to the the land back to the Native Americans. Such was the case with Manifest Destiny. Jackson was a President who made the democratic process more available to the masses. It does not offset the Trail of Tears with the Native Americans in the South even though the Supreme Court said he could not. He is suppose to enforce the laws of Congress and verdicts of the Court. He destroyed the Bank of the U.S.

over a personal quarrel which caused the Panic of 1837. Please do not mention anything about the spoils system. Andrew Jackson was a horrible president and also a complete racist. Signing the Indian Removal Act and sending thousands of natives on the trail of tears. Pretty bad for the first democrat president. V 76 Comments 13 Harry S Truman (33) Harry S. Truman was the 33rd President of the United States, an American politician of the Democratic Party. Harry did what was right not popular, forcing owners and strikers to meet, integrating the military and firing MacArthur's ass. Heck he even brought in a surplus and actually lived a normal life after his presidency. President Truman made the right decisions, Never the most popular. He fought for the country in WWI. He stood up against the KKK. He was against lying. His values were never questioned. He never trusted Stalin nor the USSR. He shaped the policy with his advisors on the cold war. He brought an end the WWII saving hundreds of thousands of allied lives and millions of Japanese. He stood up to the military. He asked Hoover to help feed millions in Europe after WWII. He actually took responsibility for his actions.

"The buck stops here" He took responsibility for his action. He used the atomic bomb and implemented the Marshall Plan to save Europe from communism. He won an election where he was a huge underdog because he was such a fighter. The Korean War was the big crack during his years as President. He was such a force. The last and only honest president. V 46 Comments 14 Woodrow Wilson (28) Thomas Woodrow Wilson was an American politician and academic who served as the 28th President of the United States from 1913 to 1921. Born in Staunton, Virginia, he spent his early years in Augusta, Georgia and Columbia, South Carolina. Ouch! "he created the Federal Reserve Act", you mean he passed the Federal Reserve Act in exchange for money from the private banks that make it up...he then realized he had created a monster allowing private banks to lend money to the government at high interest rates, & that the Board of Directors had more power than anyone in the government, including him!. The man who founded the original Federal Reserve, the "the First Bank", said "Give me the power to print money, I care not who is governing"...because they have no power!

Wilson regretted his decision & died saying he betrayed his country by signing that Bill, that's the best thing about him! Benjamin Franklin said giving away the power to print money, (& a private entity with NO audits at that! ) would destroy this country! I can't believe people are actually so misinformed as to list this as a positive, the man himself died in shame for betraying his country! It's the basis of every economic crisis since then. "The hand giving ... more This guy was actually a pretty decent president. He was hated though cause his presidency fell in a time of war, and subsequently people were sick of him, rejected his ideas (League of Nations was vetoed by America, ironically America's president was the one who proposed it) and wanted him gone. This dude was ahead of his time with the fourteen points and the League of Nations. He saw a world rid of imperialism and a global parliament like the United Nations as a way to prevent large scale european wars. Not to mention he had envisioned globalism before it truly became what it is now. He should be listed with the WORST presidents! V 37 Comments 15 James Monroe (5) The Monroe Doctrine was an important contribution.

The geographic isolation of the United States was necessary for this country's experiment in democracy (yeah, I know we're a republic but this had never been tried on such a grand scale before) to come to fruition. The Monroe Doctrine supplemented the geographic isolation. He was the last of the five founding fathers There is a reason Monroe's 8 years as President is called "The Era of Good Feelings" A: You can't be a president if your not good. B: He was the last founding father! V 12 Comments 16 James Polk (11) James Knox Polk was THE best example of a leader with efficiency, promise, consistency, and was really a major unsung hero. Polk came into the presidency with some laid-out goals, promised to get them all done, ended up completing everything he wanted to do (which was incredibly significant and crucial), and then left and never came back. What a bad-ass. This guy never gets enough credit and is a true success among US presidents. Polk's my favorite of all time, and he should definitely be a Top 10 staple. Polk should never be looked past.

Top 10 President #6 He said that he had an agenda and if he achieved it then he would not run again. He set goals and achieved them. Such agenda like annexing Texas, acquiring land in the west and settling the Canada--USA present border. Polk accomplished these goals in Texas becoming a state, the Mexican War with land acquired to the Pacific Ocean and fifty-four forty or fight to settle the question with Great Britain. He was successful so he served for 4 years as a result. Should be much higher! Annexed Texas, the Oregon Territory and the Mexican Session. Lowered Tariffs and set the groundwork for our modern banking system and completed it all in 4 years. We could use more like him. This guy deserves to be in the top 10. He was a very hard-working man. He expanded America and made California into a state - DoroExploro13 V 22 Comments 17 Lyndon B. Johnson (36) Lyndon Baines Johnson, often referred to as LBJ, was an American politician who served as the 36th President of the United States from 1963 to 1969. He expanded medicare and medicaid.

HE fought for Civil Rights and waged the war on poverty. The only reason he gets a bad rep is because of the prolonged War in Vietnam. Which he didn't even inherit in the first place and its not as if you can immediately pull out of a military involvement without any forethought. He was great. Accept it. His record of domestic achievement including civil rights, medicare, medicaid, the war on poverty, education and the environments is unequalled. Despite Vietnam, a war he inherited, he left the US economy stronger than when he took over. His record grows year by year as his accomplishments and effectiveness are compared with his successors. A great president. Johnson got Civil Rights through and was an incredible politician with a strong history of getting things done in the Senate. He inherited Vietnam and it was a hornets nest, but would have been for anyone. Many others would have led the US to Nuclear oblivion. Johnson managed it. Meanwhile, getting a lot done for society and improving the lives of millions. Great guy. Very clever bastard! Unfortunately he prolonged this war in Viatnam. But what is not told is that tricky dicky Nixon even sabotaged his peace plans. Very sad.

Fought like a lion bis whole live and than ended up as one of the most underrrated presidents. V 38 Comments 18 Calvin Coolidge (30) The greatest president of the 20th century. His demeanor brought the country together: blacks, whites, upper class, and lower class. Under his presidency, the United States saw the greatest economic expansion in its history, which was evenly spread throughout all classes. Not only that, but he restored the integrity of the national government, avoided war with Mexico, normalized relations with Cuba, passed the Young and Dawes acts, which postponed World War II, limited the growth of government, and reduced taxes so the middle and lower classes were paying close to zero percent rates. Despite all these successes, the most profound aspect of Calvin Coolidge, was his adept understanding of the executive branch. Presidents do not create laws, but rather enforce them. My favorite president. Helped pass Immigration Acts and helped change America into the Melting Pot it is today. He did what was necessary in a time of little need to maintain that title and led the body of America with a new found gait and posture unlike any president post-Coolidge or pre-Coolidge.

Deserves to be appreciated much more. Say what you will, but Calvin Coolidge was the best president, at least of the 20th Century. He was able to bring America out of a dark depression in 1921, and he created jobs for nearly the entire Country. Coolidge is the most underrated president, and, in my opinion, the Best. He's actually quite underrated. He fixed the corruption Harding left in the White House, and is responsible for the roaring twenties. - Therandom V 38 Comments 19 George W. Bush (43) George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States from 2001 to 2009 and 46th Governor of Texas from 1995 to 2000. The eldest son of Barbara and George H. W. This Bush is one of the greatest in history, but not as President... he is however one of the greatest nightmares to humanity in the 20th century. He has caused the death of hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians - including women and children.

When he "attacked terrorism", it took him 2 months to send only 11,000 troops to Afghanistan (there are more than 11,000 police in NYC) which gave Osama bin Laden PLENTY of time to get hidden. Then he lied to America about WMDs in Iraq to pull us into a ten year war to line the pockets of his family, and his friends with billions of dollars at the taxpayer's expense. He condoned the use of torture. And when he got into office the US had a surplus - when he left we were trillions of dollars in debt. Plus he scared the public into giving up rights with the Patriot act. Easily one of the worst presidents ever. A total disgrace to the US and the ideals of our founding fathers. Especially to the eyes of the world. I'm just glad he's gone now ... more Accidently gave you a thumbs down on your reply. Actually, I completely agree with what you wrote, spot on! - sharzi To the fellow who has the three-point defense of Bush, you are entitled to your own opinion but not your own facts. 9-11 happened on September 11, 2001.

George Bush assumed office in January of that year so he had already been in office nine months when 9-11 happened. He did not &quotinherit" it, it happened on his watch. Nor did he do anything that truly helped the economy. When Bush left office, the unemployment rate was 10 percent, which the Obama administration has cut in half. Our country was losing hundreds of thousands of jobs per month at the end of Bush's presidency, which was also reversed by Obama. There is this feeling among Republicans that giving tax breaks to the wealthy spurs the economy, but the fact is that a greater percentage of the population can afford to purchase goods, that's when the economy thrives, as under Clinton and Obama. I realize Fox News has its set of facts and that's all that some people listen to, but these are the actual facts. Probably the 3rd worst president in U.S. history after Buchannan and Andrew Johnson. Lying about the WMDs, helping the events leading to the Great Reciison (a.k.a. the great stock crash of 2008), waterboarded and by killing Sadam Hussein he made the biggest mistake in history.

Now other groups such as Hamas and ISIS are growing and have allies such as Vladimir Putin. As well, on September 11th, 2001 one of the saddest and darkest days in both the U.S.'s and the World's history he was reading a book to some children in Florida (The Big Sheep). Coretta Scott King told him that a plane had hit the WTC's South Wing to which he replied- I'm reading. She later told him another plane hit the North Side to which he responded- I'll deal with it later. About an hour later, the pentagon was hit and he finally left. Total ass. Fool me once shame on, shame on you. fool me,you can't get fooled again.Need to say more? V 172 Comments 20 Ulysses S. Grant (18) His high moral character which is evident in his attempts of peace with the native americans, along with sending federal troops to round up the k in the south has to be appreciated considering he followed arguably the most racist president ever (A. Johnson) Similar to Eisenhower, Grant quelled the hatred in the South during Reconstruction, and secured the lives of many blacks.

He was probably the finest American General, and without him, the war may have been very different. Although he was President during corrupt times, the whole late 19th century was corrupt, so don't let that shadow his presidency. Eisenhower was so long AFTER reconstruction. Who was your history teacher? They should get fired. - TwillyFSniper He was the only president to put us in the green economically and got rid of the BANK during his presidency... He accomplished something all others had failed... Our history books said he was the worst president... They are wrong! Yes, but he really is known for being the best general. As president he was taken advantaged of and taken in by naivety of president. The Six Best U.S. Presidents of All Time | The National Interest The Six Best U.S. Presidents of All Time Who would you choose? Editor’s Note: Please also take a look at The Five Worst U.S. Presidents of All Time by Robert W. Merry. Who are the greatest American presidents, and what can they tell us about our own time? How do we define greatness in the presidency, anyway, and who gets to pick the executives included in that hallowed circle?

Or is it all just a mystery, fodder for those intermittent academic polls on presidential performance and animated discussions of political and historical junkies? We take up this discussion with a purpose. Seldom has the American republic been more acutely in need of truly effective presidential leadership than it is right now. The country is in drift, beset by seemingly hopeless political clashes that are gumming up the gears of democracy. Its foreign policy lacks definition and coherence, while domestic issues kick up controversies of such intensity that the country can hardly move. This isn’t all Obama’s fault, though his philosophical adversaries would have us blame it all on him. But his job is to effectively address the nation’s ills, and he has proved himself incapable of doing that. We must not lose sight of the fact that we live under a presidential system, which means that great crises get solved through presidential leadership or not at all. So, with that in mind, let’s play the Great White House Rating Game and identify, say, the six greatest presidents of all time. Some will be included in that category with hardly a serious murmur of dissent, though certain minority outlooks will always generate naysayers against the consensus judgment.

And that’s just fine, because the Great White House Rating Game is open to all and has no rigid rules. But we can discern history’s consensus judgment on the greats and near-greats because those occasional academic polls have generated, over time, a body of survey information on the matter. And those polls suggest that the greats and near-greats are Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, Franklin Roosevelt (usually in that order), followed in various rank order by Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson, James Polk, Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson and Harry Truman. But let’s not just take the historians’ word for it because they may harbor prejudices that could skew the results. So let’s crank in the contemporaneous judgment of the electorate and toss out those presidents who ultimately found themselves seriously crosswise with the American people during their times in office. In the above list, that would eliminate Wilson and Truman (and possibly Polk, but with him it’s difficult to tell because he had vowed, when accepting his party’s nomination, not to run for a second term). Wilson and Truman did some great things, particularly Truman. But Wilson’s second term was a disaster.

The war into which he pushed his country never produced the results he had promised with such dreamy idealism. He leveraged the war to push federal intervention into American life far more than anyone had ever done before—and far more than the country was prepared to accept. His policies produced a horrendous recession, with a 6.5 percent decline in GDP in two years. The American people, at the next election, gave Wilson’s Democratic Party one of its most severe repudiations in American history—60.3 percent victory for a nonentity Republican opponent, a loss of sixty-three seats in the House and eleven in the Senate. Truman is a tougher call. His inherited term was nothing short of heroic—ending the war with Japan; relatively smooth transition from wartime to peacetime economy; emergence of the “containment” policy against the Soviet Union; Marshall Plan; National Security Act of 1947; Berlin airlift. But his second term was mediocre.

Though NATO came into existence during this term, it was more significantly characterized by a war that the president couldn’t win and couldn’t get out of (political poison for any president); a faltering economy; and petty corruption on the part of presidential cronies from Kansas City, who were given jobs for which they weren’t qualified. Thus, we shall eliminate presidents whose records, however laudatory at certain times, also sputtered at other times. That leaves us with a top six of Lincoln, Washington, Franklin Roosevelt, Jefferson, Jackson and Theodore Roosevelt. Here we have a circle of presidents who not only get constant plaudits from the historians but who also were revered by large electoral majorities during their times in power. A good index here: a two-term president succeeded by a president of his own party. Which states have produced the most U.S. presidents? - Ask History Ask History September 10, 2014 By Elizabeth Nix Share The Oval Office has been filled with extraordinary presidents, but did you know about these not-so-famous firsts? Share this: Which states have produced the most U.S. presidents? Author Which states have produced the most U.S. presidents?

URL Google Depending on how you calculate things, several different states can lay claim to producing the most commanders in chief. Going by birthplace, Virginia is the winner, with eight of its native sons holding the country’s highest office (including four of the first five presidents): George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, Zachary Taylor and Woodrow Wilson. However, Ohio also claims eight presidents with deep roots in the Buckeye State: William Henry Harrison, Ulysses Grant, Rutherford Hayes, James Garfield, Benjamin Harrison, William McKinley, William Taft and Warren Harding. All of these men are Ohio natives except for William Henry Harrison, who was born in Berkeley Plantation, Virginia, in 1773. As an adult, Harrison moved to Ohio, where he served as a U.S. representative and U.S. senator from his adopted home state; he was living there when he won the presidency in 1840. (Harrison has the dubious distinction of being the first president to pass away in office; he succumbed to complications from pneumonia a month after his 1841 inauguration.

Coincidentally, three other Ohio natives, Garfield, McKinley and Harding, also died in office.) Using another calculation—which state a person was primarily affiliated with when elected president—Ohio can call six presidents its own (Benjamin Harrison and Ulysses Grant were residing in Indiana and Illinois, respectively, when elected), while New York also can claim six chief executives: Martin Van Buren, Millard Fillmore, Chester Arthur (born in Vermont but raised in New York), Grover Cleveland (born in New Jersey but later governor of New York), Theodore Roosevelt and Franklin Roosevelt. Virginia can tally five presidents using this metric—William Henry Harrison was living in Ohio when elected, Taylor was raised in Kentucky but primarily associated with Louisiana when he won the presidency, and Wilson was governor of New Jersey when elected. In contrast to these top breeding grounds for Oval Office occupants, a number of states have yet to send anyone to the White House. To date, only 21 states have been the birthplace of a commander in chief and just 18 states can lay claim to presidents based on primary state affiliation. Access hundreds of hours of historical video, commercial free, with HISTORY Vault . Start your free trial today. Tags

Question: What has been the most common first name of US Presidents
Answer: James