jan 1, 1789 - 1789 - After being unanimously chosen by electors on April 6th, George Washington was inaugurated president on April 30th. The presidency as commonly defined at the time was a weak office, but it was significant in that it was the only elected executive and head of state in the world. Other models such as Britain's constitutional monarchy placed executive power in the hands of a hereditary monarch, but the American model transferred that power to an electable president.
Added to timeline:
Date:
jan 1, 1789
Now
~ 236 years ago