Ever tried to name every single leader this country has had? Honestly, it’s a lot harder than the third-grade posters made it look. We usually remember the big names—the Washingtons, the Lincolns, the Roosevelts—but the "spare tires" of history, the vice presidents, often fade into the background until something goes sideways.
Technically, we are currently on the 47th presidency. But here is the kicker: there have only been 46 individuals who served as president. Why the discrepancy? Grover Cleveland served two non-consecutive terms (22nd and 24th), which basically messes up the numbering for everyone who came after him.
The list of presidents and vice presidents isn't just a dry roll call. It's a map of how the U.S. has changed, from guys in powdered wigs who didn't even want political parties to the modern era of 24-hour news cycles and social media.
The Early Days: When Second Place Was the VP
Back in the beginning, the system was kinda messy. The runner-up in the presidential election became the vice president. Imagine if the loser of today’s elections had to sit in the same room and work with the winner for four years. It was as awkward as it sounds.
- George Washington (1) & John Adams: Washington didn't have a party. Adams, his VP, famously hated the job, calling it "the most insignificant office that ever the invention of man contrived."
- John Adams (2) & Thomas Jefferson: This is where the wheels started to wobble. Adams was a Federalist; Jefferson was a Democratic-Republican. They were bitter rivals forced to work together.
- Thomas Jefferson (3) & Aaron Burr / George Clinton: The 1800 election ended in a tie between Jefferson and Burr, which led to the 12th Amendment. After that, electors finally started voting for a "ticket" so presidents could actually pick their own partners.
Jefferson’s second VP, George Clinton, is one of only two men to serve as VP under two different presidents (the other being John C. Calhoun).
The Era of "Accidental" Presidents
A huge chunk of our history was shaped by vice presidents who were never supposed to lead. We've had eight presidents die in office and one resign. When that happens, the list of presidents and vice presidents shifts in an instant.
📖 Related: Russia War on USA: What Most People Get Wrong About Modern Conflict
John Tyler was the first to do this in 1841. When William Henry Harrison died just 31 days into his term, nobody really knew if Tyler was actually the president or just a "VP acting as president." Tyler basically said, "I'm the president," took the oath, and moved into the White House. People called him "His Accidency," but the precedent stuck.
The Successor Breakdown
- Millard Fillmore (13): Took over for Zachary Taylor in 1850.
- Andrew Johnson (17): Stepped in after Lincoln’s assassination. He was the first president to be impeached, mostly because he and Congress couldn't agree on how to fix the country after the Civil War.
- Chester A. Arthur (21): Replaced James A. Garfield in 1881.
- Theodore Roosevelt (26): At 42, he became the youngest president ever after William McKinley was shot. He was so popular he easily won his own full term later.
- Calvin Coolidge (30): Took the oath by lamplight at his father's house after Warren G. Harding died.
- Harry S. Truman (33): He didn't even know the atomic bomb existed until he took over for FDR.
- Lyndon B. Johnson (36): Sworn in on Air Force One after the JFK tragedy in Dallas.
The Modern Lineup (1945–Present)
As we move into more recent times, the vice presidency changed from a "dead-end job" to a serious stepping stone. Lately, being VP is almost like a four-to-eight-year audition for the top spot.
Dwight D. Eisenhower (34) & Richard Nixon
Nixon is a fascinating case because he's on the list of vice presidents and the list of presidents, but with a big gap in between. He lost to JFK in 1960, went away for a while, and then came back to win the presidency in 1968.
Richard Nixon (37) & Spiro Agnew / Gerald Ford
This was a mess. Agnew resigned because of a tax scandal. Nixon appointed Gerald Ford. Then Nixon resigned because of Watergate. Suddenly, Ford—who was never even elected to the executive branch—was the President of the United States. He then appointed Nelson Rockefeller as his VP.
🔗 Read more: Why Pictures of Black Panther Party Members Still Make People Uncomfortable
Recent Pairs You Probably Remember:
- Ronald Reagan (40) & George H.W. Bush: Bush eventually won his own term, becoming the first sitting VP to be elected president since 1836.
- Bill Clinton (42) & Al Gore: Known for being a very close partnership.
- George W. Bush (43) & Dick Cheney: Cheney is often cited as one of the most powerful VPs in history.
- Barack Obama (44) & Joe Biden: Their "bromance" was a constant headline, and it clearly helped Biden's later run.
- Donald Trump (45) & Mike Pence: A pairing of the populist wing and the evangelical wing of the Republican party.
- Joe Biden (46) & Kamala Harris: Harris made history as the first woman, first African American, and first South Asian American VP.
- Donald Trump (47) & J.D. Vance: Following the 2024 election, Trump returned for a second term with Vance as the 50th Vice President.
Surprising Facts About the List
Most people think the VP just waits around. That’s not quite right. They are the President of the Senate and cast tie-breaking votes. John Adams cast 31 tie-breaking votes; Kamala Harris broke that record by casting her 32nd in 2023.
Some VPs were just... odd.
Richard Mentor Johnson (VP under Van Buren) reportedly spent his time running a tavern in Kentucky while in office.
Then there's Charles Dawes (VP under Coolidge) who composed a tune that later became a #1 pop hit in 1958 called "It's All in the Game."
Wait, what about the vacancies?
There have been 18 times in history when the U.S. had no vice president at all. This happened whenever a VP died or moved up to the presidency before the 25th Amendment was passed in 1967. For example, when Andrew Johnson took over for Lincoln, there was no VP for the rest of his term.
Actionable Insights for History Buffs
If you're trying to memorize the list of presidents and vice presidents or just want to understand the flow of American power, don't just look at names. Look at the "whys."
- Follow the "Veept To President" Pipeline: Only 15 vice presidents have eventually become president. If you're betting on future elections, the VP is statistically a strong candidate but not a guaranteed winner.
- Check the 25th Amendment: If you're curious about what happens if a president is temporarily incapacitated (like during surgery), read up on Section 3. It has been used by Reagan, George W. Bush, and Biden.
- Visit the Homes: Many of these leaders have estates you can actually tour. Monticello (Jefferson) and Mount Vernon (Washington) are the obvious ones, but the Hermitage (Jackson) and Sagamore Hill (TR) offer way more "real" insight into who these people actually were.
Understanding this list helps you see that the U.S. government isn't just a machine; it’s a series of handoffs between very different, often flawed, people.