first president to visit all 50 states while in office

How Many Presidents Visited All 50 States Before Leaving Office?

As you may have read, President Obama raised some eyebrows earlier this month when it was reported that he has only visited 49 out of 50 states since his first term began. The lone outlier? South Dakota.

“We’d always love to have him,” said ex-senator Tom Daschle, who suggested one of the state’s nine Indian reservations for a stop on Obama’s next road trip. Back in 2013, South Dakota’s department of tourism officially invited him over, noting “your wife and daughters have visited Mount Rushmore … now it is your turn.” And  don’t miss John Oliver’s brilliant take on Obama’s neglect of South Dakota (complete with a phony, somewhat NSFW ad).

A little over a week after the comedian’s bit aired, Obama announced that he would indeed be dropping by Watertown, S.D., where he’ll deliver a commencement address at Lake Area Technical Institute. By exploring the great states of South Dakota, North Carolina, Idaho, and Utah this year, Obama will soon become only the fourth sitting president in U.S. history to have set foot in all 50 states.

WHERE THE OTHER PRESIDENTS STAND

FDR would be on this exclusive list, if it weren’t for the fact that Alaska and Hawaii didn’t become states until 1959. Fittingly, the longest-serving POTUS managed to explore—or at the very least pass through—those two territories and all 48 extant states during his twelve-year stint in the White House. 

“Unfortunately,” says archive specialist Jim Armistead of the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum , “no one has compiled a list of all the states which President Truman visited while he was in office.” Still, his public papers reveal that at least 40 hosted him at one point during his two terms. Furthermore, Armistead notes that before Hawaii joined the union, Truman stopped there “on his way to Wake Island for a conference with General Douglas MacArthur in 1950.” As for America’s other soon-to-be state, he considered taking an Alaskan vacation during the summer of ‘46, but ultimately opted for a New England getaway instead.

Dwight Eisenhower was technically the first president to serve all 50 states—under his watch, two new stars were added to our flag after Alaska and Hawaii joined the union. But despite that—as well as Eisenhower’s part in the creation of America’s interstate highway system —there were a few states that the 34th president never got around to seeing before he left D.C.

For example, Idaho , which got snubbed by Ike and his successor. In John F. Kennedy’s defense, he did manage a visit to every single state at some point (just not during his tragically-short administration). Next up was Lyndon Johnson, who made time for Idaho as chief executive, but neglected places like North Dakota .

Then came Richard Nixon. One day in 1971 , “Tricky Dick” met with Republican fundraisers at a Delaware estate. As unassuming as this little foray was, it capped a remarkable accomplishment. By crossing Delaware off his list, Nixon had done something that no previous president had—he’d checked out all 50 states while in office, and did so in less than three years.

According to his press secretary Ronald L. Ziegler, Nixon firmly believed in getting out and meeting everyday people—as his travels purportedly demonstrated. “He has done that,” said Ziegler . “I think he will continue to do that.” 

Unfortunately, Nixon’s sudden, scandalous departure didn’t give Gerald Ford much time to work with, and he couldn’t keep the fifty-state visitation streak alive. (Just like Johnson, North Dakota was among those Ford missed). Jimmy Carter also fell short during his one-term presidency, failing to reach such states as South Dakota and Vermont .

Let’s pause here for a moment, because the syrup-scented home of Ben & Jerry’s really deserves a shout-out. Historically, presidential visits to Vermont have been quite scarce. Before Obama was sworn in, three of the previous five commanders-in-chief never came calling on the New England gem. After Carter overlooked it, Vermont went on to become one of only four states that Ronald Reagan passed over (along with Maine, Rhode Island, and Delaware). Even so, the whole quartet voted for him in 1984—and all but Rhode Island had done so in 1980.

George H.W. Bush did in a single term what Reagan couldn’t in two, becoming the first president since Nixon to see every state. Bill Clinton then followed suit, squeezing in his final state just under the wire.

While Clinton was in office, GOP leaders in Nebraska began taking pride in an odd piece of trivia. “We have the distinction,” Governor Mike Johanns gloated at the Republican National Convention in 2000, “of being the only state in the union, I repeat the ONLY state in the union, never visited by Bill Clinton since he’s been president.” Naturally, the conservative crowd went wild. Four months later , Clinton finally showed and shook hands with Johanns himself when Air Force One touched down at the Kearney Municipal Airport.

George W. Bush spent time in a grand total of 49 states before calling it quits. Care to guess which one he spurned? (We’ll give you a hint: it starts with a “V” and rhymes with “croissant.”)

To say that the 43rd president wasn’t a popular guy in Vermont would be a serious understatement. After all, in 2008, two Vermont towns—Brattleboro and Marlboro—approved a nonbinding measure supposedly requiring local police officers to arrest Bush and then-VP Dick Cheney on sight. Perhaps it was for the best that the head of state kept his distance.

clock This article was published more than  9 years ago

Only three presidents have visited all 50 states in office. Until now

President Obama's visit to South Dakota Friday means he'll be able to strike a major item from his bucket list : visiting all 50 states while in office.

The president will travel to Watertown, South Dakota Friday to deliver the commencement address at the Lake Area Technical Institute. And with that visit, he joins a rare club of presidents who have made it to every state in the Union while in office. The others: Richard Nixon, George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton. (Bush's spot in the club is particularly notable since he accomplished the feat before the end of his first and only term.)

Obama, who had yet to visit four states at the beginning of the year, has steadily been checking them off -- Idaho in January, South Carolina in March and Utah in April. That travel has been part of an expressed goal by the president himself to make it to all 50 states before he exits the White House in January of 2017.

[ Obama aspires to visit all 50 states as president .]

(As my colleague Colby Itkowitz  points out , Obama  has visited all 50 states already -- but that tally includes states he visited as a candidate and not as president.)

The White House is already taking something of a victory lap to commemorate the accomplishment: Pete Souza, the White House's chief official photographer, on Thursday published a photo gallery on Medium featuring one picture from each state visited to date.

Photo gallery of President Obama in 49 states. Tomorrow, it will be 50: http://t.co/4Xe1BjfpXf pic.twitter.com/grNaviAQAa — petesouza (archived) (@PeteSouza44) May 7, 2015

The politics of visiting all 50 states is hard to resist analyzing: all four of the final states that were left on his list are deep, deep red and didn't vote for him in either 2008 or 2012. Last year, Gallup tracked the president's average approval rating  in South Dakota at just 32 percent, with 62 percent disapproving. His supporters will be quick to point out he's visiting them anyway.

(Here it's also worth remembering that former president George W. Bush notably visited every single state before leaving the White House except Vermont, incidentally home to a heavy -- if symbolic -- push to impeach him.)

South Dakota Sen. John Thune, a Republican, welcomed Obama's visit to the Mount Rushmore State and doesn't seem at all bitter about it being last: "The president has clearly saved the best for last, and we welcome him to our great state,” Thune said.

Who Was the First President to Visit All 50 States?: Unveiling the Trailblazer

• International Relations

Richard Nixon was the first president to visit all 50 states during his tenure. This accomplishment was particularly notable as it happened during a winning campaign.

Nixon’s achievement paved the way for other presidents like George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton to follow in his footsteps. It wasn’t until Nixon’s presidency that a president had successfully visited every state in the country, solidifying his place in history.

This feat demonstrated Nixon’s dedication to connecting with the American people and understanding their needs and concerns across the nation. His commitment to visiting every state set a precedent for future presidents to prioritize nationwide representation and engagement.

Credit: www.nhbr.com

Overview Of Presidential Travel History

George Washington holds the title of being the first president to visit all 50 states during his tenure.

Introduction To Presidential Travel

Presidential travel has been an integral part of American history. It not only showcases the leaders’ commitment to the nation but also allows them to connect with citizens from all walks of life across different states. The first president to embark on a journey to visit all 50 states was George Washington, setting an example for future presidents to follow.

Notable Historical Events In Presidential Travel

Presidential travel has witnessed several significant events that have shaped the course of history. From state visits to international trips, presidents have made remarkable contributions to diplomatic relationships. Notable historical events include President Woodrow Wilson’s visit to Europe during World War I to advocate for the League of Nations, and President Richard Nixon’s groundbreaking visit to China, which paved the way for diplomatic relations between the two nations.

Other notable events include President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s travel to Yalta for the Yalta Conference, where he discussed post-World War II plans with British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin. President John F. Kennedy’s visit to Berlin, where he famously declared “Ich bin ein Berliner” in support of West Berlin during the Cold War, also stands out as an iconic moment in presidential travel history.

Firsts In Presidential Travel

Apart from George Washington’s achievement of visiting all 50 states, there have been other noteworthy presidential travel firsts. For example, President Theodore Roosevelt became the first president to make a trip outside the continental United States when he visited Panama to oversee the construction of the Panama Canal.

President Jimmy Carter made history by being the first president to visit Sub-Saharan Africa during his term. He aimed to promote human rights and establish stronger ties with African nations. Similarly, President Barack Obama became the first sitting president to visit Cuba in almost a century, marking a significant milestone in diplomatic relations between the two countries.

These firsts in presidential travel demonstrate the evolving role of presidents in shaping global affairs and the ever-expanding horizons of their responsibilities.

George Washington’s Historic Achievement

George Washington achieved a significant milestone in his presidency by becoming the first to visit all 50 states of the U. S. during his tenure.

Overview Of George Washington’s Presidency

George Washington served as the first President of the United States from 1789 to 1797. His presidency marked a crucial time in American history as the nation sought to establish its independence and forge a new path forward. Washington’s leadership and dedication to the welfare of the young nation set a strong precedent for future presidents to follow.

Importance Of George Washington’s Travel

During his presidency, George Washington embarked on a remarkable journey that would forever be etched in American history. His commitment to visit all 13 original states was not just a symbolic gesture but also a testament to his desire to unite the nation and understand the unique challenges faced by each state. This travel allowed Washington to connect with the people, listen to their concerns, and gain valuable insights into the diverse needs and aspirations of the citizens he served.

Impact Of George Washington’s Accomplishment

George Washington’s achievement of visiting all 13 states holds immense significance even today. It showcased his dedication to ensuring a strong and unified nation, regardless of the geographic and political boundaries that existed at the time. By traveling extensively, he laid the foundation for future presidents to engage with each state and foster a sense of unity and cooperation, which continues to shape the fabric of American democracy. Washington’s accomplishment also set a precedent for future leaders to prioritize connecting with citizens and understanding the unique perspectives of each state.

Other Presidents Who Visited All 50 States

Aside from George Washington, who was the first president to visit every single state during his tenure, there have been three other presidents who accomplished this impressive feat. Richard Nixon, George H.W. Bush, and Bill Clinton all left their mark on each of the 50 states. Let’s take a closer look at their achievements:

Richard Nixon

Richard Nixon is not only known for being the 37th President of the United States but also for being the first president to visit all 50 states. Despite not achieving this milestone during a winning campaign, Nixon’s accomplishment in visiting every state during his previous campaign was a historic moment in presidential history. This display of determination and dedication showed his commitment to meeting and connecting with the American people across the entire country.

George H.w. Bush

George H.W. Bush, the 41st President of the United States, also joined the exclusive club of presidents who visited all 50 states. His achievement is particularly noteworthy given that he accomplished this feat during his time as president. Bush’s commitment to understanding the diverse needs and concerns of Americans in each state highlighted his dedication to serving the entire nation.

Bill Clinton

Bill Clinton, the 42nd President of the United States, is another member of the prestigious group of presidents who have visited all 50 states. Clinton’s travels not only showcased his desire to connect with Americans from all walks of life but also allowed him to gain firsthand knowledge of the diverse cultures, economies, and landscapes that make up the United States. His visits fostered a sense of unity and understanding among the states, emphasizing the importance of shared experiences and collaboration.

Let’s compare the achievements of Richard Nixon, George H.W. Bush, and Bill Clinton in visiting all 50 states:

In conclusion, Richard Nixon, George H.W. Bush, and Bill Clinton have all made significant contributions to the history of presidential travel by visiting all 50 states. Their achievements demonstrate their commitment to understanding and connecting with the American people from coast to coast.

Credit: www.amazon.com

Credit: www.bostonglobe.com

Frequently Asked Questions For Who Was The First President To Visit All 50 States

Who was the first person to visit all 50 states.

The first people to visit all 50 states were Richard Nixon, George H. W. Bush, and Bill Clinton. Nixon achieved this during his campaign, making him the first president to accomplish this task before winning the presidency.

Who Was The First President To Visit All 50 States And The Country Of China?

The first president to visit all 50 states and China was Richard Nixon.

Who Was The First President To Visit Another Country While In Office And Where Did He Go?

The first president to visit another country while in office was President Richard Nixon, who visited China and the Soviet Union.

Who Is The Youngest American President?

The youngest American president is Theodore Roosevelt, who assumed office at the age of 42.

In the history of the United States, George Washington holds the distinction of being the first president to visit every single state during his time in office. This impressive achievement showcased his commitment to understanding and connecting with the diverse regions of the country.

While subsequent presidents like Richard Nixon, George H. W. Bush, and Bill Clinton have also visited all 50 states, it was Washington who set the precedent for presidential travel and engagement with the nation. Washington’s accomplishment remains a testament to his dedication to serving the entire nation, regardless of geographic boundaries.

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U.S. Presidents

Richard nixon.

37th president of the United States

Richard Nixon was born on January 9, 1913, in Yorba Linda, California . Unlike many presidents who came before him, he came from a family that often struggled against sickness and poverty. Two of his four brothers died by the time Nixon was 20. He paid for his education at nearby Whittier College by working long hours in his father’s grocery store. 

After he graduated from law school at Duke University in North Carolina , he returned home to be a lawyer. Back in southern California, Nixon met his future wife, Thelma "Pat" Ryan, when they acted together in a local play. Not long after that, he served as a noncombat naval officer from 1942 to 1946 during and after World War II.

GETTING INTO POLITICS

After the war ended, Nixon won seats in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1946 and the U.S. Senate in 1950. By then, his opponents were calling him "Tricky Dick" because of what they called the "dirty tricks" (he was accused of illegal campaign funding and spreading false rumors about his political opponents, among other things) he used to get elected. He became Dwight D. Eisenhower’s vice president from 1953 to 1961. He lost the 1960 presidential race to John F. Kennedy and the 1962 California governor’s race before finally being elected president in 1968.

PRESIDENTIAL VICTORIES

In the White House at last, Nixon focused on protecting the environment and reducing crime in the United States. Internationally, he improved relations between the United States and China , becoming the first U.S. president to visit that country while in office.

During Nixon’s presidency, the United States was involved in what was known as the "space race," or a competition against the former Soviet Union, now Russia , to see who could land a person on the moon first. As part of a mission authorized by Nixon, U.S. astronaut Neil Armstrong became the first person to walk on the moon on July 20, 1969. ( Read about the first moon landing .)

PRESIDENTIAL SETBACKS

Nixon entered the White House with a pledge to end the Vietnam War, a war between what was then the two separate countries of North and South Vietnam, in which the United States sided with South Vietnam. But this was more difficult than he thought it would be. In response to tense protests against the war across the United States, Nixon withdrew troops from the region, and the United States officially left the war in 1973. But the conflict continued without U.S. involvement, with fighting spreading to surrounding countries. Two years later, North Vietnam defeated the U.S. ally and took control of South Vietnam, becoming one unified country, Vietnam. Many Americans were angry about the cost of a war the United States did not win: 58,000 U.S. lives and $110 billion since 1956. Many people blamed Nixon for not getting the United States out of the war sooner, even though the war had been going on long before he became president.

Nixon further upset U.S. citizens by using some of the same dirty tricks he was accused of doing as a member of Congress. He and other staff members broke many laws in their efforts to discover embarrassing information about his opponents (a list of more than 40,000 names). They hired people to listen in on phone conversations, silenced helpers with money, spent federal campaign funds improperly, used government records illegally, and filed false tax reports. But Nixon’s biggest scandal was still to come.

THE WATERGATE SCANDAL

In 1972 members of Nixon’s administration hired men to steal files from Democratic Party offices at the Watergate building in Washington, D.C. (They hoped to find secrets there that would help Nixon, a member of the Republican Party, be re-elected later that year.) The burglars were caught, but the investigation didn’t move quickly enough to stop Nixon’s re-election in 1972.

For more than two years, Nixon and others tried to hide their involvement as newspaper reporters and members of Congress led investigations into the break-in. Eventually the Supreme Court, the highest court in the country, forced Nixon to release secret tape recordings he had made of his White House conversations. The tapes confirmed that Nixon had lied about his innocence in planning and covering up illegal activities.

On August 9, 1974, Nixon resigned from office. If he hadn’t, he likely would’ve been impeached—or officially charged with misconduct in office—by the House of Representatives. If that had happened, he would’ve faced a trial in the Senate that could have removed him from office.

Nixon’s first vice president, Spiro Agnew, had resigned from office in an earlier, unrelated scandal involving bribery, or promising favors to people in exchange for money. So Nixon’s new vice president, Gerald R. Ford, became president. Ford pardoned Nixon for any crimes he may have committed or participated in as president, sparing him from future legal charges, called indictments.

LASTING LEGACY

After leaving the White House, Nixon moved to New York City, where he lived another 20 years. He later tried to win back people’s respect by writing books about government and policy. In the end, though, his abuses of presidential power became more important than his accomplishments, and many historians call Nixon’s presidency one of the worst in U.S. history. He passed away on April 22, 1994.

• Nixon always wore a suit and dress shoes, even when walking on the beach.

• As a student, Nixon broke into an office at Duke University to check his grades before they were released.

• Nixon was the first president to visit all 50 states while in office.

From the Nat Geo Kids books  Our Country's Presidents  by Ann Bausum and  Weird But True Know-It-All: U.S. Presidents by Brianna Dumont, revised for digital by Avery Hurt

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• Who Was the First President of All 50 States?

Before the Second World War, the United States was a 48 state nation with some territories including Alaska and Hawaii. The United States purchased Alaska from Russia in 1867 while Hawaii was a republic which ceded itself to the United States. Both these territories attained statehood in 1959 (with Hawaii being the last to gain statehood on August 21, 1951) thus making Dwight Eisenhower the first American President to preside over the fifty states.

Who was Dwight Eisenhower?

Dwight is the thirty-fourth American presidents who served from 1953 to 1961. He was the first American leader to be bounded by the twenty-second amendment which stipulates the number of times a president can be elected to the office. Eisenhower was also the first American leader to enjoy the benefits of the Former-Presidential Act which stipulates that an outgoing president is entitled to receive secret service detail, pension, and government-provided staff as long as he is alive.

Early Life of Eisenhower

Although he grew up in Kansas, Dwight was born in Texas on October 14, 1890. He attended the Abilene high school where he graduated in 1909. While in college Dwight injured his leg and the infection extended to his groin. The doctors wanted to amputate his leg, but he refused. Dwight recovered from the injury and resumed his education. Dwight and his brother wanted a college degree, so they agreed to alternate the college years while the other was working to earn the tuitions. Edgar (his brother) was the first to go to school, and Dwight had to work at the Belle-Springs creamery. Dwight later joined west point naval academy in 1911 where there was no tuition. He graduated in 1915.

Eisenhower’s Life Before presidency

After finishing the naval academy, he was sent to the Fort Sam Houston base. While at Sam Houston Base, Dwight married Mamie Doud on July 1, 1916. Dwight and Mamie were blessed with two children, but their son Doud Dwight died at age 3. He met George Patton at the Meade camp in Maryland, and together they published various articles advocating for the military to use the tanks and avoid the repeat of the destructive trench-warfare used in the World War 1. The military considered this insubordination, and they threatened him with court-martial if he wrote the articles again.

Dwight played a crucial role in the field maneuvers of the third army in Louisiana, and this revealed his talent in strategic planning. Dwight went to work on the military’s war plans in Washington, D.C. after the Pearl Harbor was attacked. After this contribution to the war plans, crucial assignments and promotions followed. Dwight commanded the troops which attacked North Africa in 1942. Dwight also directed the attacks of Italy and Sicily. He launched the Normandy’s D-day invasion on June 6, 1944, and his decision to continue with the invasion despite the poor weather won him admiration from all the troops and allied leaders.

After the Second World War, Dwight became the Army’s chief of staff a position he served for two years. After retiring from this post, he wrote the "Crusade in Europe" his famous wartime memoir. In 1948, Eisenhower was the president of the Colombia University in 1948, but he had to take a leave of absence in 1950 to work with North-Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Eisenhower's Presidency and Death

After being pressed by President Truman to be the Democrat’s presidential candidate, he finally voiced his disagreement with the party and declared himself a Republican. Eisenhower chose Richard Nixon as his vice president, and they won the 1952 presidential elections. President Eisenhower was the last American leader born during the 19th century. He was also the oldest president ever elected since President Buchanan. Until Donald Trump, he was the only recent head of state who had never held an elected office before becoming a president.

He passed away on March 28, 1969, after suffering from a heart problem. After the Episcopal Church service at the National Cathedral on March 31, 1969, his body was carried by train to Kansas where he was buried; this was the last time a funeral train was used in the burial proceedings of a United States president.

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Richard M. Nixon

Nixon’s parents were Francis Antony and Hannah Milhous Nixon. Nixon married Thelma Catherine Ryan (Patricia) in 1940. They had two daughters: Patricia and Julie.

Nixon’s presidency began with a strong, successful first term. When he took office the nation continued to be divided over the Vietnam War. Nixon was committed to peace and world stability. He withdrew American troops from Vietnam and ended the draft. Nixon also traveled to China and the Soviet Union, the first U.S. president to do so. While in Moscow Nixon met with Russian leader Leonid Brezhnev and succeeded in negotiating the strategic arms limitations treaty (SALT) to limit nuclear weapons. Nixon was reelected to a second term by a wide margin. However, his presidency ultimately ended in scandal and disgrace. In June of 1972 five burglars were caught planting wiretapping devices in the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee at the Watergate Building in Washington, D.C. From the very beginning of the investigations, Nixon vehemently denied any previous knowledge of or association with the Watergate incident. An intensive investigation ultimately revealed that Nixon and most of his appointees had been illegally recording conversations at the White House, the Executive Office Building, and Camp David. These recordings proved that Nixon not only knew about the Watergate burglary, but also participated in its cover-up. Three articles of impeachment were brought against Nixon by the House Judiciary Committee: obstruction of justice, abuse of power, and the unconstitutional defiance of its subpoenas. Nixon was advised to resign, and at first he refused. However, learning that he would not win an impeachment trial, Nixon resigned the presidency in a televised address on August 8, 1974. He was the first and only president to have resigned.

Nixon’s successor, President Gerald Ford, issued to him a “full, free, and absolute pardon [for all federal crimes that he] committed or may have committed or taken part in” as president. Nixon accepted the pardon.

On accepting the Republican nomination for president, Nixon declared, “Let us begin by committing ourselves to the truth––to see it like it is, and tell it like it is––to find the truth, to speak the truth, and to live the truth.” (1968)

“Let historians not record that when America was the most powerful nation in the world we passed on the other side of the road and allowed the last hopes for peace and freedom of millions of people to be suffocated by the forces of totalitarianism. And so tonight––to you, the great silent majority of my fellow Americans––I ask for your support.” (Address to the Nation on the War in Vietnam; November 3, 1969)

During a televised question-and-answer session with the press, Nixon asserted, “I made mistakes but in all my years of public life I have never profited, never profited from public service. I’ve earned every cent. And in all of my years in public life I have never obstructed justice. . . . I welcome this kind of examination because people have got to know whether or not their President is a crook. Well, I’m not a crook. I’ve earned everything I’ve got.” (November 17, 1973)

At This Time

1969: Following an attack on a U.S. plane on April 15, Nixon orders that reconnaissance flights off of North Korea be resumed • Nixon declares the Guam Doctrine, later known as the Nixon Doctrine, which specifies that though the U.S. will continue to recognize its treaty agreements, the U.S. also expects its allies to provide the human resources needed for its own defense • Nixon discloses his program for welfare reform, which includes the Family Assistance Plan • In November Nixon reveals that North Vietnam has rejected the administration’s secret peace offers, and he proposes a plan to withdraw troops slowly and in secret • Nixon signs the Selective Service Reform bill, ensuring that draftees are selected by a lottery system • A Gallup Poll indicates that 70% of those questioned feel that the influence of religion is declining in the U.S • The Woodstock Music and Art Fair is held near Bethel, New York, and more than 300,000 people attend • The Apollo 11 lands its lunar module on the moon July 20, astronaut Neil Armstrong steps on the moon July 21, and the crew returns July 24 • Two Mariner space probes send back pictures of the surface of Mars • 1970: The administration announces that it will seek to end de jure segregation (racial separation that is enforced by law) • Nixon signs an executive order ending occupational and parental deferments for the draft • In June Nixon addresses the nation through television, asking for wage and price restraint • Nixon approves and signs the Postal Reorganization Act, which establishes an independent U.S. Postal Service • In September Nixon meets with Israeli Premier Golda Meir to talk about problems in the Middle East • In a televised address, Nixon proposes a five-point peace plan for Indochina, which includes a “cease-fire in place” and the negotiated withdrawal of U.S. troops from Vietnam • Nixon signs the Occupational Health and Safety Act of 1970, which gives the Secretary of Labor the responsibility of setting workplace safety standards for jobs • Nixon signs a clean air bill that mandates that car manufacturers reduce certain pollutants by 90% • Student protests against the Vietnam War at Kent State University result in four students being killed by the National Guard • The films Paint Your Wagon starring Joshua Logan and True Grit starring John Wayne premiere • The world population in millions totals 760 in China, 550 in India, 243 in the U.S.S.R., and 205 in the U.S. • 1971: Nixon signs a Wage-Price Controls Bill, extending his authority to impose restraints on wages, prices, salaries, and rents to help curb inflation for another year • Nixon signs an Emergency Employment Act, which sets aside $2.25 billion to create public service jobs at state and local levels • In August Nixon declares a 90-day freeze on wages and prices, known as Phase One of his economic program; he announces Phase Two in October • Nixon signs an extension of the Economic Stabilization Act, to provide another year to stabilize the economy • The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts opens in Washington, D.C. • Cigarette commercials are banned from television • 1972: In late February President and Mrs. Nixon arrive in China • A joint announcement, later known as the Shanghai Communique, is released by the U.S. and China, which calls for both countries to normalize their relations and for the U.S. to withdraw gradually from Taiwan • In April Nixon enacts legislation devaluing the dollar • On national television, Nixon announces that he has ordered the mining (spreading of bombs below the water) of North Vietnamese ports and the bombing of military targets in North Vietnam • In May Nixon arrives in the Soviet Union for a summit meeting • On June 17 the police arrest five intruders inside Democratic Headquarters in Washington, D.C.’s Watergate Building––this begins the “Watergate” scandal • In August Nixon declares at a news conference that no one on the White House staff, in the administration, or anyone “presently employed” was involved in the Watergate break-in • Nixon endorses a bill that calls for revenue sharing with the states and grants over $30 billion to state and local governments over a period of five years • Nixon enhances the power of the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate the sale and use of pesticides • During the month of October Nixon signs sixty bills, one of which provides more than $5 billion in benefits for the aged, blind, and disabled, while also increasing Social Security taxes • On November 7 Nixon is re-elected in a landslide, and the next day he asks all agency directors, federal department heads, and presidential appointees to resign • Strict measures to prevent hijacking are implemented at U.S. airports • American swimmer Mark Spitz wins a record seven gold medals at the Summer Olympics in Munich • The U.S. military draft is phased out, and entry into the armed forces is now voluntary • 1973: Phase Three of the economic plan is announced, which ends wage and price controls in most industries • On January 27 the Paris Peace Accords are signed by all parties at war in Vietnam • Nixon declares a freeze on all prices for sixty days, with the exception of raw agricultural products and rents • On July 16 Federal Aviation Administrator Alexander Butterfield confirms that a taping system exists in the Oval Office as he testifies before the Senate Watergate Committee • In July Phase Four of the economic program is revealed, in which the freeze is lifted on all foods except beef and health-care products • On July 23 Nixon claims executive privilege and refuses to turn over the subpoenaed tapes to the Senate Watergate Committee • On December 21 Nixon increases Social Security benefits • Fighting breaks out in the Middle East between Arabs and Israelis • An unstable ceasefire remains in force as peace talks begin and break apart several times • The Arab oil-producing countries plan to embargo shipments to the U.S., western Europe, and Japan in retaliation for their support of Israel • The oil embargo triggers an energy crisis in the industrialized world • The U.S. Supreme Court rules that individual states can not prohibit abortions during the first six months of pregnancy • Three American Skylab missions are completed successfully • 1974: In his State of the Union address, Nixon refuses to resign and demands an end to the Watergate investigation • On July 24 the Supreme Court orders Nixon to turn over 64 tapes to the Senate Watergate Committee in an 8-0 ruling • The tapes reveal that Nixon not only knew about the Watergate burglary, but also participated in the cover-up • Three days later three articles of impeachment are brought against Nixon by the House Judiciary Committee: obstruction of justice, abuse of power, and the unconstitutional defiance of its subpoenas • On August 8 Nixon resigns the presidency, effective at noon the next day, in a televised address • The following day Nixon leaves for California • Gerald Ford becomes the 38th President of the U.S. • Worldwide inflation contributes to dramatic increases in the cost of fuel, food, and materials • Economic growth slows to almost zero in most industrialized nations • Journalists Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward publish All the President’s Men • Four U.S. Episcopal bishops defy church law and ordain 11 women as priests • The U.S. Mariner 10 satellite transmits detailed pictures of both Venus and Mercury • India becomes the sixth nation to explode a nuclear device • Frank Robinson becomes the first African-American to manage a major league baseball team, the Cleveland Indians

Did You Know?

Nixon was the first president to visit all 50 states, as well as the first president to visit China and the U.S.S.R.

Nixon’s favorite president was Woodrow Wilson, whom he admired for his efforts to establish world peace. Nixon hung a picture of Wilson in his own office. After his inauguration, Nixon had Wilson’s presidential desk moved into the Oval Office so he could also use it. Nixon apparently was in the habit of working at the desk with his feet resting on it. His heels marred the surface, and a White House aid sent the desk to be refinished while Nixon was traveling abroad. When Nixon returned, he was not happy to see the repairs: “I didn’t order that. I want to leave my mark on this place just like other Presidents!”

In addition to the Watergate Scandal, other controversies damaged Nixon’s administration. Vice President Spiro Agnew was involved in bribery and tax-evasion schemes. He subsequently resigned in October 1973. Nixon’s own personal finances were later scrutinized, and it was determined that he had also been involved in tax evasion and owed more than $400,000 in taxes.

• NixonFoundation.org Research resources and information about the Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace Foundation in Yorba Linda, California.
• pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/nixon Biographical and career information about Nixon sponsored by PBS.
• MillerCenter.org/president/nixon Biographical information, essays, and access to Nixon’s presidential speeches sponsored by the Miller Center at the University of Virginia.

Field Trips for Richard Milhous Nixon

Richard Nixon Library and Birthplace Yorba Linda, California NixonLibrary.gov

The twenty-two galleries of the museum memorialize Richard Nixon’s political career. Interactive video and touchscreen technology present the highlights and timeline of important events of his presidency, including the Watergate scandal. On the grounds are the gravesites of Mr. and Mrs. Nixon, which are surrounded by a beautiful English country garden, and the restored 1912 farmhouse where Nixon was born.

[Back to Presidential Fact Files]

Presidential Milestones: The First President to Visit All 50 States

Exploring the historic achievement of a u.s. president's nationwide journey..

President Obama's visit to South Dakota Friday means he'll be able to strike a major item from his bucket list: visiting all 50 states while holding the highest office in the United States. This accomplishment marks an important milestone in presidential history, showcasing the dedication and commitment of the nation's leaders to connect with their citizens across the entire country.

While George Washington may get a lot of fanfare for being the first commander-in-chief, there are plenty of other presidential milestones that deserve recognition. One such milestone is being the first president to visit every state in the nation. President Obama's achievement exemplifies his desire to engage with Americans from all walks of life and understand the diverse challenges and opportunities they face.

Presidential visits to foreign countries are common, but it is equally significant when a president embarks on their first foreign trip. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky recently traveled to Washington to meet with President Joe Biden, highlighting the importance of international relations and diplomacy. This visit serves as a reminder that leaders must foster strong relationships with other nations to address global issues effectively.

It's no accident that President Obama is giving his first commencement speech of the season in the last of the 50 states he had yet to visit. This symbolic gesture demonstrates the president's commitment to education and his belief in the transformative power of knowledge. By addressing graduates in South Dakota, President Obama emphasizes the importance of lifelong learning and the pursuit of academic excellence.

In 2023, Prime Minister Modi concluded his three-day visit to the United States with an address to the Indian community. While not directly related to the first president to visit all 50 states, this visit highlights the significance of international engagements and the diplomatic efforts undertaken by world leaders. Such interactions contribute to strengthening global ties and fostering cooperation on various fronts, including trade, security, and cultural exchange.

Reflecting on past milestones, when then-Senator Barack Obama publicly claimed the Democratic presidential nomination in 2008, it marked a significant step towards becoming the first African American president of the United States. This historical achievement shattered barriers and inspired hope, symbolizing progress in the nation's pursuit of equality and inclusivity.

Richard Nixon, the 37th President of the United States, is known for his presidency during a tumultuous period in American history. However, before assuming the presidency, Nixon served as a U.S. Representative and U.S. Senator, showcasing his commitment to public service and his journey towards the highest office in the land.

President Barack Obama's commencement address at a two-year technical institute in the eastern end of the state offers an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of students pursuing vocational education. By acknowledging their hard work and emphasizing the importance of technical skills, the president highlights the diverse paths to success and promotes the value of vocational training in today's society.

In conclusion, President Obama's accomplishment of being the first president to visit all 50 states showcases the dedication and commitment of U.S. leaders to connect with their citizens across the entire country. It serves as a reminder of the importance of engaging with people from different backgrounds and understanding the diverse challenges they face. This milestone contributes to the rich tapestry of presidential history and exemplifies the enduring spirit of the United States.

What president visited all 50 states while in office?

According to the information available, President Richard Nixon was the first to visit all 50 states while in office. He achieved this milestone during his previous campaign. Other presidents who have achieved this feat while serving as president include Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Barack Obama.

Who was the first president to travel to all 50 states?

The first president to travel to all 50 states was President Richard Nixon. He accomplished this during his previous campaign, making him the first president ever to visit all 50 states.

Who was the first president to visit a foreign country while in office?

The first president to visit a foreign country while in office was President Theodore Roosevelt. He traveled to Panama to inspect the construction of the Panama Canal. This marked the first visit abroad by any President or President-elect.

Who was the youngest president of the United States?

The youngest person to become U.S. president was President Theodore Roosevelt, who assumed office at the age of 42 after the assassination of President William McKinley. The youngest president at the time of his election to the office was President John F. Kennedy, who was 43 years old.

What countries did Obama visit as president?

During his tenure, President Barack Obama visited various countries around the world. Some of the countries he visited include Australia, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Portugal, Russia, South Africa, Turkey, and Vatican City. He also made multiple visits to Canada, China, Poland, Afghanistan, Japan, and South Korea.

Which president had 15 kids?

President John Tyler had the most children among all the American presidents. He had a total of 15 children and two wives. He married Letitia Christian in 1813, and they had eight children together.

Which President served 3 terms?

President Franklin D. Roosevelt served for three terms as the President of the United States. He won a third term by defeating Republican nominee Wendell Willkie in the 1940 presidential election. He remains the only president to have served more than two terms.

Which President died at the youngest age?

President John F. Kennedy was the youngest U.S. president to have died. He was assassinated at the age of 46 years, 177 days. In terms of natural causes, President James K. Polk died at the youngest age of 53 years, 225 days due to cholera. President George H.W. Bush, who died at the age of 94 years, 171 days, is the oldest living former U.S. president.

Who is the oldest living U.S. president?

The oldest living former U.S. president is President Jimmy Carter. At the age of 99, he holds the record for being the longest-lived president in U.S. history. Carter served as the 39th president of the United States from 1977 to 1981.

Which founding president never owned slaves?

Among the founding presidents of the United States, John Adams and his son John Quincy Adams were the only two who never owned slaves. John Adams famously said that the American Revolution would not be complete until all slaves were freed.

Who was the smallest president?

The tallest U.S. president was Abraham Lincoln, standing at 6 feet 4 inches (193 centimeters), while the shortest was James Madison, who stood at 5 feet 4 inches (163 centimeters).

Who were the 4 presidents that were assassinated?

There have been four U.S. presidents who were assassinated in American history. They are:

• Abraham Lincoln, assassinated in 1865 by John Wilkes Booth.
• James A. Garfield, assassinated in 1881 by Charles J. Guiteau.
• William McKinley, assassinated in 1901 by Leon Czolgosz.
• John F. Kennedy, assassinated in 1963 by Lee Harvey Oswald.

Who is the only president buried in Washington DC?

President Woodrow Wilson is the only U.S. president buried in Washington, D.C. He was interred at the Washington National Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul.

What president was a bartender?

President Abraham Lincoln was a licensed bartender before becoming president. He was also a part-owner of a store in Illinois called Berry and Lincoln, which sold various items including liquor.

Who is the only president who resigned from office?

President Richard Nixon is the only U.S. president who resigned from office. He resigned following the Watergate scandal, making him the first and only president to do so.

Has a sitting president ever died of old age?

No president has died of old age while in office. However, there have been four U.S. presidents who died in office due to natural causes: William Henry Harrison, Zachary Taylor, Warren G. Harding, and Franklin D. Roosevelt.

How many presidents have been assassinated?

Four sitting U.S. presidents have been assassinated in American history. They are Abraham Lincoln, James A. Garfield, William McKinley, and John F. Kennedy.

How many terms did Obama serve?

President Barack Obama served two terms as the President of the United States. He was elected in 2008 and re-elected in 2012. His presidency lasted from January 20, 2009, to January 20, 2017.

Whose presidency was the shortest in United States history?

President William Henry Harrison holds the record for the shortest presidency in U.S. history. He served for only 32 days before passing away due to pneumonia.

Which president had a child at 70?

President John Tyler had a child when he was 70 years old. His youngest child was born in 1860.

What president had his sister as first lady?

President Grover Cleveland had his sister, Rose Elizabeth “Libby” Cleveland, serve as acting first lady from 1885 to 1886. She filled this role during President Cleveland’s first term in office.

Who was the only unmarried president?

President James Buchanan remains the only U.S. president who never married. He served as the 15th president of the United States from 1857 to 1861.

Who was the president who visited all 50 states while in office?

President Richard Nixon was the first to visit all 50 states while in office, achieving this milestone during his previous campaign. Other presidents who have accomplished this feat while serving as president include Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Barack Obama.

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Who was the first U.S. President to visit all 50 states?

Question #149407. Asked by psnz . Last updated Jun 11 2023 . Originally posted Jun 08 2023 8:09 PM.

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With South Dakota trip, Obama has visited all 50 states

President Obama in Florida last month. With his visit Friday to South Dakota, he has visited all 50 states.

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When then-Sen. Barack Obama publicly claimed the Democratic presidential nomination in 2008 after a long primary season, there was one blemish — he’d lost the South Dakota primary that day to Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Obama also would lose the state twice in general elections.

That bit of political history, according to the White House, is not what kept Obama from visiting South Dakota during the nearly 2,300 days he’s been president — although he has managed to visit all 49 other states.

Finally, on Friday, Obama became the fourth president to have visited all 50 of the United States, when he delivered the commencement address at a community college here. For the loyal-blue Democratic president and deeply red state, it was a cause for celebration.

Many local residents lined the short motorcade route from the airport to the local high school, some looking as if they’d camped out for hours and others holding welcome signs.

“It’s good to be in South Dakota,” Obama told the commencement crowd.

“I was saving the best for last,” he added. “To the other 49, I hope you take no offense.”

Richard Nixon was the first president to visit all the states, achieving the milestone within his first three years.

It took President Clinton until his final weeks in office to visit No. 50, Nebraska — a trip planned only after he learned he was one short. President George H.W. Bush managed to visit all 50 states in his only term. His son ended his two-term presidency without having set foot in Vermont.

As Obama entered his last two years in office, his itinerary this year conspicuously included other states he’d been absent from during his presidency.

After his State of the Union address in January, he went to Idaho to discuss advanced manufacturing. Just over a month later, he went to South Carolina for a town-hall-style meeting. And in April he stopped in Utah for remarks on the economy.

The common factor: They were all states he’d lost twice in general elections. But the White House prefers to argue that he’s championing ideas that have bipartisan support, and visiting red states to help illustrate that point.

Obama continued that theme in Watertown, promoting his proposal to provide free community college tuition.

Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) noted that the school Obama visited, Lake Area Technical Institute, has one of the highest graduation and job-placement rates in the state.

“For the young men and women that are at the technical school, this is an experience of a lifetime for them,” said Rounds, who attended as the uncle of a graduate.

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Michael A. Memoli worked in the Los Angeles Times’ Washington, D.C., bureau from 2010-17, where he covered the White House, the 2016 presidential campaign, and national politics based in D.C. (plus a dozen or so swing states in presidential election years). A New Jersey native, he graduated from Loyola University in Maryland.

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Travels Abroad of the President

By president.

• Theodore Roosevelt (1901–1909)
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• Harry S. Truman (1945–1953)
• Dwight D. Eisenhower (1953–1961)
• John F. Kennedy (1961–1963)
• Lyndon B. Johnson (1963–1969)
• Richard M. Nixon (1969–1974)
• Gerald R. Ford (1974–1977)
• Jimmy Carter (1977–1981)
• Ronald Reagan (1981–1989)
• George H.W. Bush (1989–1993)
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Ten Facts About Washington’s Presidency

Unanimously elected President of the United States twice, George Washington played an essential part in shaping the role and function of the President of the United States.

1. President Washington never lived in Washington, D.C.

George Washington is the only US president to have never occupied the White House. In New York and then later in Philadelphia, the Washingtons occupied a series of grand houses, where they received members of Congress, officials, foreign dignitaries, and other prominent people according to a standing weekly schedule.

In July 1790, Congress passed the Residence Act which called for the permanent capital of the United States to be located on the Potomac River (the future Washington D.C.). President Washington personally overlooked the building of what he once termed "the seat of Empire." He specified the location of the ten-mile square federal district, the President's mansion (the White House), and the Capitol.

read the residence act of 1790

Washington involved himself in almost all aspects of the project, even after his retirement from the presidency in 1797. 

Building the new nation's capitol

 2. George Washington established the tradition of a cabinet of advisors

While the current presidential cabinet includes sixteen members (fifteen heads of executive agencies and the vice president), Washington’s cabinet included just four original members: Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson , Secretary of Treasury Alexander Hamilton , Secretary of War Henry Knox, and Attorney General Edmund Randolph. Washington set the precedence for how these roles would interact with the presidency, establishing the cabinet as the chief executive’s private, trusted advisors. Further, Washington sought to include multiple perspectives in the cabinet, perhaps best exhibited by the political spectrum ranging from Hamilton to Jefferson.

While variance helped ensure that differing ideas would be aired, it also created tensions, particularly regarding debates over the establishment of a national bank. As Jefferson himself admitted, "Hamilton and myself were daily pitted in the cabinet like two cocks.” Despite the harsh disagreements, Jefferson believed that the tone had little impact on quality of governance, explaining that "The pain was for Hamilton and myself, but the public experienced no inconvenience."

Learn More: Washington's Cabinet

 3. Washington signed into law the first copyright law

On May 31, 1790, President Washington signed the Copyright Act of 1790  into law. Formally titled, “An act for the encouragement of learning by securing the copies of maps, charts, and books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the times therein mentioned,” the legislation was the first law protecting copyright in the United States. The act explained that it intended to protect “the author and authors of any map, chart, book or books already printed within these United States,” and that authors would “have the sole right and liberty of printing, reprinting, publishing and vending such map, chart, book or books.” Copies of the law bearing Washington’s signature were re-printed in newspapers throughout the country.

Learn More: Patents

 4. Washington set precedents for the social life of the president

Washington was concerned that the presidents of the Confederation Congress had been overwhelmed by visitors in the past. As a result, during the presidency Washington set aside the late afternoon for meetings with the public and evenings for dinner parties with invited guests. On Tuesday afternoons Washington received male callers from three until four o'clock in the afternoon. The reception was a series of gentlemanly introductions and greetings where Washington was visited in a formal manner as President of the United States. Friday evenings included both women and men and were less formal affairs featuring interaction with colleagues and other politicians.

Learn More: Presidential Entertaining

5. The first Thanksgiving Proclamation was issued by President Washington

Days of thanksgiving were celebrated since the beginning of European settlement in North America. In 1789, President Washington formalized the holiday by issuing a proclamation designating November 26 as a national day of thanksgiving. Washington declared that the day sprung from the Almighty’s care of Americans both during and after the Revolution. The proclamation was distributed to state governors, requesting that they announce and observe the day within their states. Newspapers subsequently published the proclamation and celebrations were held throughout the United States. Washington himself marked the day by attending services at St. Paul's Chapel in New York City, and subsequently donating beer and food to imprisoned debtors in the city.

Learn More: Thanksgiving

6.  President Washington personally led troops into the field to stop the Whiskey Rebellion

By 1794 the Whiskey Rebellion threatened the stability of the new United States and challenged the authority of the democratically-elected federal government. President Washington organized a militia force of 12,950 men and personally led them towards Western Pennsylvania, warning locals "not to abet, aid, or comfort the Insurgents aforesaid, as they will answer the contrary at their peril." The calling of the militia had the desired effect of essentially ending the Whiskey Rebellion. By the time the militia reached Pittsburgh, the rebels had dispersed and could not be found. The militia apprehended approximately 150 men and tried them for treason. Limited evidence and the inability to obtain witnesses hampered the trials. Two men, John Mitchell and Philip Weigel, were found guilty of treason, though both were pardoned by President Washington. George Washington's firm actions during this crisis served to build the strength and authority of the new federal government. 

Learn More:  The Whiskey Rebellion

 7. Washington vetoed only two bills while President

Washington rejected both pieces of legislation based on ideological concerns and in each instance Congress was unable to overturn the veto. The first bill that Washington vetoed was the Apportionment Bill of April 5, 1792 which aimed at providing guidelines for the number of congressional representatives based on the results of 1790 census. Washington vetoed the legislation based on constitutional concerns, believing that the law would not divide each state’s population evenly when determining representation. Further, Washington argued that the law had unfairly “allotted to eight of the States, more than one [representative] for thirty thousand,” potentially creating an imbalance in power.

On February 28, 1797 (shortly before leaving office), Washington vetoed a bill aimed at cutting the size and cost of the military. The veto was utilized based on the advice of Secretary of War James McHenry and was policy-driven, objecting to one specific provision that dissolved two companies of light cavalry.

8. President Washington delivered an important address on religious tolerance at a Rhode Island synagogue

On August 18, 1790, congregants of the Touro Synagogue of Newport, Rhode Island, warmly welcomed George Washington to both their place of worship and their city. Washington’s letter of response to the synagogue, has become famous for reinforcing the ideal of religious liberty in American life. Washington promised the synagogue more than mere religious tolerance, explaining that "It is now no more that toleration is spoken of as if it were the indulgence of one class of people that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural rights." The letter continued with the promise that "the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance, requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens in giving it on all occasions their effectual support." Washington's remarks established a precedent for protecting religious liberty and pluralism in the United States that persists to this day.

LEARN MORE: WASHINGTON AND RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

Washington is sworn in as President of the United States (Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association) 9. Washington’s second inaugural address is the shortest ever delivered

Washington’s second inaugural, delivered March 4, 1793, clocked in at less than two minutes and was only 135 words in length. The text of that ever-so-brief address reads:

“I am again called upon by the voice of my country to execute the functions of its Chief Magistrate. When the occasion proper for it shall arrive, I shall endeavor to express the high sense I entertain of this distinguished honor, and of the confidence which has been reposed in me by the people of united America.”

“ Previous to the execution of any official act of the President the Constitution requires an oath of office. This oath I am now about to take, and in your presence: That if it shall be found during my administration of the Government I have in any instance violated willingly or knowingly the injunctions thereof, I may (besides incurring constitutional punishment) be subject to the upbraidings of all who are now witnesses of the present solemn ceremony.”

10. Washington’s Farewell Address is one of the most celebrated documents in American history.

Washington’s Farewell Address , which warned against “the baneful effects of the Spirit of Party,” encouraged a focus on education and morality, cautioned against sectionalism within the nation, and admonished against entangling foreign alliances, has continued to have influence over American culture and political debates long past when it was first published.

In the midst of the Civil War, on February 19, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation calling on Americans to mark Washington’s birthday. Lincoln “recommended to the people of the United States that they assemble in their customary places of meeting for public solemnities on the 22d day of February” to “celebrate the anniversary of the birth of the Father of his Country by causing to be read to them his immortal Farewell Address.”

Since 1896, the United States Senate has commemorated Washington’s birthday with an annual reading of the Farewell Address, all 7,641 words, by a selected sitting senator. At the conclusion of the reading, the chosen senator signs and writes his or her thoughts on the significance of the address in the pages of a leather-bound book that is maintained by the Secretary of the Senate.

A More Perfect Union

Watch our animated presentation of George Washington and the forming of the U.S. Constitution.

Justice Kennedy on George Washington

Watch our interview with Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy.  Learn about the vital role that Washington played during our founding.

Mount Vernon Virtual Tour

You can explore historic Mount Vernon from your home or classroom. Our new Virtual Tour includes 360-degree panoramic images and clickable points of interest.

The First President

Washington's Presidential Cabinet

While the current presidential cabinet includes 16 members, George Washington’s cabinet included just 4 original members: Jefferson, Hamilton, Knox, and Randolph.

Key Legislation during Washington's Presidency

Judiciary Act of 1789 Established a 6-member Supreme Court and the position of Attorney General Learn More

Naturalization Act of 1790 Established rules to be followed in granting national citizenship Learn more

Residence Act of 1790 Directed that the permanent federal capital be positioned along the Potomac River near Georgetown - the future Washington DC. Learn more

Copyright Act of 1790 The first federal copyright legislation designed for the “encouragement of learning.” Learn more

Bank Act of 1791 Created the First Bank of the United States Learn more

Excise Tax on Whiskey 1791 This measure levied a federal tax on domestic and imported alcohol, earmarked to offset a portion of the federal government’s recent assumption of state debts. This highly unpopular tax led to the Whiskey Rebellion .

Coinage Act of 1792 Created the United States Mint and the Dollar as our official currency.

Militia Acts of 1792 Two acts that allowed the President to call out the militia when threatened by foreign or domestic threats and created a more uniform and regulated militia structure.

Fugitive Slave Act of 1793 Made it a federal crime to assist an escaping slave and created a system that would return escaped slaves to their masters. Learn more

Naval Act of 1794 Ordered that six frigates be built (ex. USS Constitution) and created the United States Navy. Learn more

Slave Trade Act of 1794 This law restricted American ships from participating in the Atlantic slave trade. Learn more

US Half-Eagle coin from 1795 (Wikimedia Commons)

President George Washington leading his gathered forces during the Whiskey Rebellion (Metropolitan Museum of Art)

Important Treaties

Jay Treaty (1795) Normalized trade relations with Great Britain, removed British forts along the western frontier of the United States, and resolved various debt related issues with Great Britain. Learn more

Pinckney's Treaty (1795) This treaty of friendship with Spain also helped to clarify the borders between US and Spanish held territories in North America and opened the Mississippi River to American commerce. Learn more

Treaty of Tripoli (1796) Agreement to pay a yearly tribute to the Pasha of Tripoli in exchange for free, unmolested access to Mediterranean shipping lanes.

The Jay Treaty of 1795 (Wikimedia)

New States that Joined the Union during Washington’s Presidency

North Carolina (1789)

Rhode Island (1790)

Vermont (1791)

Kentucky (1792)

Tennessee (1796)

The new states of Kentucky and Tennessee circa 1800 (Library of Congress)

Learn more about President George Washington and his administration.

Watch CBS News

Obama to hit 50 on state visit scoreboard

By Mark Knoller

Updated on: May 9, 2015 / 12:48 PM EDT / CBS News

It's no accident that President Obama is giving his first commencement speech of the season in the last of the 50 states he had yet to visit as president.

"The President wanted to visit all the 50 states while he was president," said press secretary Josh Earnest, conceding that reaching the 50-state milestone was a factor in the choice of Lake Area Technical Institute in South Dakota. South Dakota is the one missing picture in Chief White House Photographer Pete Souza's photo essay on Medium - he selected a single photo from every state to capture both Mr. Obama's six-year sojourn through the country, as well as through some of the major moments of his presidency.

The South Dakota visit secures Mr. Obama's membership in the 50-state club, that subset of U.S. presidents who have visited each of the states: Richard Nixon, George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton.

President Obama used the last year to pay visits to a number of red states he lost by sizeable margins both in 2008 and 2012.

"I got whupped," said President Obama in January, on his first visit to Idaho. "I got whupped twice. But that's okay, I've got no hard feelings," he told a university audience at Boise State, though he was clearly in no hurry to visit the states that rejected him.

Conversely and not surprisingly, our CBS News tally shows the president most frequently visited states he won in his bids for election and re-election:

Virginia (72 visits) and Maryland (64 visits) have seen the most of the president - more for reasons of proximity to Washington, D.C., than anything else. (And both of those numbers exclude golf outings.)

New York (49 visits) has also been a favorite destination for the president because of the U.N. and because it's home to quite a few wealthy Democratic donors.

Ohio (41 visits) was decisive in Mr. Obama's re-election victory. He won the state with 50 percent of the vote in 2012, compared to Mitt Romney's 48 percent.

And Florida (38 visits) is another fundraising mecca for Democrats.

Visiting each of the 50 states is a relatively new presidential milestone that wasn't even possible until 1959, since that's when Hawaii became the 50th state.

Still, it would be another 12 years before a president would visit every state. In October 1971, President Nixon became the first president to visit all 50 - by making a 3¼ hour visit to Delaware to meet with Republican fundraisers.

Twenty-one years later, President George H.W. Bush reached the 50-state threshold during his one term in office.

President Clinton took nearly two full terms, waiting until the final weeks of his presidency to visit Nebraska - his 50th state.

President Reagan fell four states short of 50. President George W. Bush knew he need only visit Vermont to make complete his visits to all the states, but chose not to. He may not have been optimistic about the welcome he'd receive there, having lost Vermont in both '00 and '04.

• Barack Obama

Mark Knoller is a CBS News White House correspondent.

More from CBS News

Who Knew? U.S. Presidential Trivia

Which president was the first to visit all 50 states? How many presidents died while in office? Put your knowledge to the test and read up on these historical fast facts.

Just 11 weeks remain in the race for the White House. Thousands of Republican Party faithful will gather in New York City next week to nominate George W. Bush as their candidate for a second term as U.S. President. Last month Democrats anointed Massachusetts Senator John Kerry as their party's choice to lead the country. Ralph Nader, meanwhile, leads the list of independent and third-party candidates who are seeking the nation's top political job.

Getting into the campaign spirit, we compiled the following presidential trivia:

How They Measured Up

The smallest President was James Madison (Presidential term 1809-17). The fourth President, Madison stood 5 feet, 4 inches (163 centimeters) tall and weighed less than 100 pounds (45 kilograms).

The tallest President was Abraham Lincoln (1861-65). He stood 6 feet, 4 inches (193 centimeters) tall.

The heaviest President was William Howard Taft (1909-13), who sometimes tipped the scales at more than 300 pounds (136 kilograms) during his tenure. After he became stuck in the White House bathtub, Taft ordered a new one installed. The replacement was big enough to hold four grown men of average size.

The oldest President ever elected was Ronald Reagan (1981-89). The 40th President took office at the age of 69.

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The youngest elected President was John F. Kennedy (1961-63), who reached the White House at 43. But the youngest President to ever serve was Theodore Roosevelt (1901-09), who was elected Vice President on a ticket with President William McKinley . In September 1901 a deranged anarchist shot McKinley twice in Buffalo, New York, and Roosevelt assumed the top office at 42.

Benjamin Harrison (1889-93), the 23nd President, was the first President to attend a baseball game. He saw the Cincinnati Reds beat the Washington Senators 7 to 4 on June 6, 1892.

William Taft started the tradition of the Presidential "first pitch" of baseball season. The event took place on April 4, 1910, during an opening day game between the Washington Senators and the Philadelphia Athletics.

Since Taft's first pitch, every President but one has opened at least one baseball season during their tenure. The exception: Jimmy Carter (1977-1981).

John Quincy Adams (1825-29), the sixth President, customarily took a nude early morning swim in the Potomac River.

George Washington (1789-1797), Thomas Jefferson (1801-09), and John Adams (1797-1801) were all avid collectors and players of marbles.

Assassination and Death

Four sitting Presidents have been assassinated while in office: Abraham Lincoln, James Abram Garfield (1881), William McKinley (1897-1901), and John F. Kennedy (1961-63).

Six other Presidents were luckier and survived their assassination attempts: Andrew Jackson (1829-37), Theodore Roosevelt (1901-09), Franklin Roosevelt (1933-45), Harry Truman (1945-53), Gerald Ford (1974-77), and Ronald Reagan (1981-89).

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Other Presidents have died while in office:

• William Henry Harrison (1841), the ninth President, died of pneumonia one month to the day after making—in the snow—the longest U.S. presidential inauguration speech on record.

• Zachary Taylor (1849-50), the 12th President, died in 1850 of an inflamed stomach and intestines just 16 months after he took office.

• Warren Harding (1921-23), who presided over a scandal-plagued administration, died suddenly on August 2, 1923. Medical records suggest Harding battled high blood pressure and died of a heart attack. But rumors at the time claimed Harding either took his own life or was poisoned by his wife, who sought to end Harding's notorious philandering.

• John Adams (1797-1801), the second President, and Thomas Jefferson (1801-09), the third President, both died on July 4, 1826. Calvin Coolidge (1923-29), the 30th President, was born on July 4, 1872.

The first President born a U.S. citizen was Martin Van Buren (1837-41). Van Buren was delivered on December 5, 1782, making him the first President born after the Declaration of Independence was signed.

Virginia is the birthplace of the greatest number of Presidents. It boasts eight. Thirty-one states have never claimed a native son as President.

Teddy Roosevelt was the first President to travel abroad while in office; he visited the Panama Canal in 1906.

In 1943 Franklin Roosevelt made the first Presidential flight.

Richard Nixon was the first President to visit all 50 states.

Bill Clinton set a record for the most trips abroad: 133.

Elections and Politics

George W. Bush, the 43rd and current President, lost the popular vote to Al Gore in 2000. Bush is the fourth President to attain the highest office in the U.S. without the backing of the majority of the people. He shares the distinction with John Quincy Adams, Rutherford B. Hayes (1877-81), and Benjamin Harrison.

James Monroe (1817-25), the fifth President, received every Electoral College vote except one. The holdout: a New Hampshire delegate who wanted to preserve the legacy of George Washington, the first and only President elected unanimously by the Electoral College.

Gerald Ford (1974-77) was the only President to serve who was not elected by U.S. voters either as President or Vice President. In 1973 then-President Richard Nixon (1969-74) appointed Ford Vice President after former Vice President Spiro Agnew resigned. When Nixon resigned from the White House on August 9, 1974 (the only President to do so), Ford became President.

Bill Clinton (1993-2001), the 42nd President, was the second President to be impeached. In 1998 Clinton was impeached by the U.S. House of Representatives but acquitted by the Senate. Andrew Johnson was impeached by the U.S. House of Representatives in 1868, but he was also later acquitted by the Senate.

George W. Bush is the second President to follow in the footsteps of his father. George Herbert Walker Bush was the 41st President. John Quincy Adams (1825-29), the sixth President, was the son of John Adams (1797-1801), the second President.

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President Obama's Milestone: The Commander-in-Chief Visits All 50 States

Joining Richard Nixon, George H.W. Bush, and Bill Clinton, President Barack

— -- Joining Richard Nixon , George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton , President Obama has finally traveled to his 50th state -- South Dakota -- today as he visited the Lake Area Technical Institute in Watertown to deliver a commencement address.

"I can’t let my South Dakota friends feel neglected,” Obama told KSFY-TV, ABC’s Sioux Falls affiliate, at the White House in April.

Though Obama visited the state as a senator, seeing Mount Rushmore with wife, Michelle Obama , and kids, Sasha and Malia, this is his first time returning as Commander-in-Chief.

Obama in Hawaii: An Inside Look at the First Family's Winter Vacation

Fifty years after 'bloody sunday,' obama calls selma a place where meaning of america was defined.

“Finally, there should be spring in South Dakota,” he quipped during his interview.

Luckily, spring has arrived. While it may not be Florida weather, South Dakota will reach a high of 68 while he’s there.

This visit comes on the heels of some pleading by 11-year-old, Rebecca, of Vermillion, South Dakota.

Rebecca sent a letter to Obama asking him to "visit the warmest of the Dakota's," and so he did.

To celebrate this rarely accomplished achievement, we've compiled seven pretty awesome photos of the president and the beautiful states he’s visited:

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With South Dakota visit, Obama is the fourth president to visit all 50 states while in office

PORTLAND, Ore. — South Dakota is losing a special distinction.

Until Friday it was the only state still awaiting a visit from President Barack Obama.

But there is no Mount Rushmore on the schedule. The president is delivering the commencement address on the eastern end of the state at a two-year technical institute, a chance to promote his proposal for free community college and to become the fourth president to set foot on all 50 states.

It was a milestone the White House was observing by posting an online exhibit of photographs from each state taken by White House photographer Pete Souza. In at least one case, a visit is a liberal description. Obama flew into Nebraska in August 2012 to make a drive to Council Bluffs, Iowa. He was in the Cornhusker state less than a half hour.

“I can’t let my South Dakota friends feel neglected,” Obama told KSFY-TV last month when he announced the last stop.

Texas, Aug. 9, 2010. Trying on a pair of cowboy boots at the University of Texas in Austin. Photo by Pete Souza/White House

At the start of the year, Obama had visited 46 states. The White House promptly set up appearances in two of the four remaining states — Idaho and South Carolina — followed by Utah in April. It’s no coincidence that the four are reliably Republican states.

Still, Obama did visit South Dakota as a candidate in 2008 while campaigning for the party’s nomination. Last year he spoke in North Dakota on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation that straddles South Dakota.

The only other presidents to hit the 50-state mark were Richard Nixon, George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton.

Obama will deliver the commencement address at the Lake Area Technical Institute graduation ceremony in Watertown.

The school is among the nation’s top community colleges, recognized for rigorously preparing its students and for having a two-year graduation rate that’s higher than the national average.

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