Vice presidential candidate John Nance Garner stands at the back of a special campaign train with presidential candidate Franklin Delano Roosevelt during a stop in Topeka, Kansas.

10 of the Most Consequential Executive Orders and Proclamations

Visitors leave the United States Capitol, the seat of the United States Congress and the legislative branch of the U.S. government, in Washington, D.C.

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HISTORY

America’s Founding Fathers decided that one elected civilian—the U.S. president—would lead the executive branch of the federal government, a governmental structure that has remained in place for more than 200 years.

The years following the American Revolution were challenging for the new nation, which struggled with the Articles of Confederation, Shay's Rebellion, Federalism, the Alien and Sedition Acts and more.

Early U.S.

The U.S. government, with its three branches of government and a system of checks and balances, is responsible for governing the 50 states and all districts and territories of the United States.

U.S. Government and Politics

Christmas, a Christian holiday honoring the birth of Jesus, has evolved into a worldwide religious and secular celebration, incorporating many pre-Christian and pagan traditions into the festivities.

Christmas

From religious and patriotic observances to celebrations of ethnic pride, explore the history of Easter, Passover, New Year's Day, Veterans' Day, Memorial Day and much more.

Holidays

The Revolutionary War waged by the American colonies against Britain influenced political ideas and revolutions around the globe, as a small fledgling nation won its freedom from the greatest military force of its time.

American Revolution

1789

The Great Depression was the worst economic downturn in the history of the industrialized world, lasting from 1929 to 1939. Explore topics on the era, from the stock market crash of 1929, to the Dust Bowl, to FDR’s response to the economic calamity—the New Deal.

U.S. Presidents

Topics

Executive Order

Checks and Balances

Three Branches of Government

Veto

Stories

10 of the Most Consequential Executive Orders and Proclamations in Presidential History

Why FDR’s Own VP Ran Against Him

How George Washington’s Iron-Willed Single Mom Taught Him Honor

Dreaming of a White (House) Christmas: 17 Photos

This Day in History

White House cornerstone laid

First U.S. presidential election