The  Presidents Before George Washington

The government under which America lives is based on its Constitution. However, this wasn't always the case. First, the same government which declared the United States to be a free and independent nation — the Continental Congress — was the only legitimate government of the nation. Seven men served as Presidents of the Continental Congress . Later, the Articles of Confederation were adopted, and seven more men took the office of President before Washington.

The  Presidents Before George Washington

The President of the United States of America (often abbreviated POTUS) is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The office of President was established upon the ratification of the United States Constitution in 1788 and the first president took office in 1789.

The President serves as the chief executive and head of the executive branch of the United States government. Article Two of the United States Constitution establishes the President as the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces and enumerates powers specifically granted to the President, including the power to sign into law bills passed by both houses of the Legislature, to create a Cabinet of advisors, to grant pardons or reprieves, and, with the "advice and consent" of the United States Senate, to make treaties and appoint federal officers, ambassadors, and federal judges (including Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States). Article Two also defines a Presidential term at four years; subsequently, the Twelfth Amendment (1804) revised the procedure for electing the President and the Twenty-second Amendment (1951) established Presidential term limits.

The President must be a natural born citizen of the United States (or a citizen of the United States at the time the U.S. Constitution was adopted), at least 35 years of age, and a resident of the United States for at least fourteen years.

Credit: http://www.americanpresidents.org