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The United States has seen a total of 46 presidents since its founding, each leaving their unique mark on the nation’s history. Franklin D. Roosevelt holds the record for the longest presidency, serving an unprecedented four terms from 1933 to 1945. On the other end of the spectrum, William Henry Harrison‘s presidency was tragically short, lasting only 31 days in 1841 before he succumbed to pneumonia.
Looking at party affiliations, 19 presidents have been Republicans, while 15 have been Democrats. The remaining 12 belonged to other parties, including the Federalist, Whig, and Democratic-Republican parties. In terms of electoral victories, Richard Nixon‘s 1972 re-election stands out, with him winning 60.7% of the popular vote and carrying 49 states against George McGovern.
Age has also played a role in presidential history. Theodore Roosevelt was the youngest president, taking office at 42 years old after the assassination of William McKinley. In contrast, Joe Biden became the oldest president to assume office, beginning his term at 78 years old.
When it comes to ethnic backgrounds, the majority of US presidents have roots tracing back to the British Isles and Western Europe. However, the ancestral map of American presidents is more diverse than many might expect. Let’s take a closer look at this fascinating aspect of presidential history with the help of a detailed United States map created by Reddit user Unusual_Pomelo_1553.
This intriguing United States map provides a visual representation of presidential ancestry, tracing lineages back approximately 10 generations. The data reveals a rich tapestry of heritage spanning multiple countries:
Country
Number of Presidents
Presidents
England
39
Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Jimmy Carter
Scotland
22
James Monroe, Woodrow Wilson, Ronald Reagan
Wales
19
George Washington, Millard Fillmore, William Howard Taft
Northern Ireland
13
Andrew Jackson, William McKinley, George H.W. Bush
Ireland
13
James Buchanan, John F. Kennedy, Joe Biden
France
13
Ulysses S. Grant, Calvin Coolidge, Franklin D. Roosevelt
Germany
12
Andrew Johnson, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Donald Trump
Netherlands
8
Martin Van Buren, Theodore Roosevelt, Warren G. Harding
Switzerland
5
Herbert Hoover, Harry Truman, Barack Obama
Denmark
4
James Madison, Zachary Taylor, Lyndon B. Johnson
Czechia
1
George W. Bush
Estonia
1
Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Kenya
1
Barack Obama
Poland
1
Gerald Ford
Spain
1
Herbert Hoover
Sweden
1
Lyndon B. Johnson
Legend: Bold = Won two or more elections Italic = Won one election Normal = Did not win an election (e.g., became president through succession)
This detailed United States map of presidential ancestry reveals some fascinating insights:
English ancestry dominates, with 39 out of 46 presidents having roots in England.
Celtic heritage is also prominent, with significant representation from Scotland, Wales, and Ireland.
Several presidents have diverse ancestral backgrounds, such as Barack Obama (Kenyan, English, and Swiss ancestry) and Herbert Hoover (English, German, Swiss, and Spanish roots).
The Netherlands has a surprisingly strong showing, with eight presidents tracing their lineage back to Dutch ancestors.
It’s important to note that this United States map represents ancestral origins and does not necessarily reflect recent family history or cultural identities. Many presidents, like most Americans, have mixed heritage from multiple countries.
For those interested in diving deeper into presidential history and ancestry, here are some recommended resources:
