The Presidents of the United States Before George Washington

Most people consider the “birth” of the United States to be the same as what is known as Independence Day, July 4, 1776.  However, the current United States Constitution did not take affect until 1789.  It was in the year 1789, under the United States Constitution, that George Washington became President of the United States.  So, who were our leaders before George Washington?

Some would argue that there were fourteen Presidents before George Washington.  George Washington was the first President of the United States under the United States Constitution.  There were fourteen other leaders who resided over the Continental Congress.  They were considered Heads of Government, but they were not considered Heads of State.  Whether or not you consider them to be our first Presidents, they were patriots and great leaders.  Who were these great men?

Peyton Randolph of Virginia served from September 5, 1774 to October 21, 1774.

Henry Middleton of South Carolina served from October 22, 1774 to October 26, 1774.

Peyton Randolph of Virginia served again from May 10, 1775 to May 24, 1775.

John Hancock of Massachusetts served from May 24, 1775 to November 1, 1777.

Henry Laurens of South Carolina served from November 1, 1777 to December 10, 1778.

John Jay of New York served from December 10, 1778 to September 28, 1779.

Samuel Huntington of Connecticut served from September 28, 1779 to July 10, 1781.

Thomas McKean of Delaware served form July 10, 1781 to November 5, 1781.

John Hanson of Maryland served from November 5, 1781 to November 4, 1782.

Elias Boudinot of New Jersey served from November 4, 1782 to November 3, 1783.

Thomas Mifflin of Pennsylvania served from November 3, 1783 to November 30, 1784.

Richard Henry Lee of Virginia served from November 30, 1784 to November 23, 1785.

John Hancock of Massachusetts served again from November 23, 1785 to May 29, 1786.

Nathaniel Gorham of Massachusetts served from June 6, 1786 to February 2, 1787.

Arthur St. Clair of Pennsylvania served from February 2, 1787 to January 22, 1788.

Cyrus Griffin of Virginia served from January 22, 1788 to March 2, 17789.