President

President is a title held by many leaders of organizations, companies, universities, and countries. Etymologically, a "president" is one who presides, who sits in leadership (from Latin prae- "before" + sedere "to sit"). Originally, the term usually referred to the presiding officer of a ceremony or meeting (i.e. chairman); but today it most commonly refers to an official with executive powers.

History

Though there had been several republican countries in the past, it was the United States of America which popularized the position of President when the post was created as the new republic's Head of State in 1789. As South America became independent from Spanish rule, so too did these new republics adopt the title of "President" for their leaders, creating constitutions purposely similar to that of the US.

Related Topics:
Republic - United States of America - Head of State - 1789

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The first European president was the President of France, a post created in the Second Republic of 1848. (The First Republic had harkened back to the ancient Roman Republic by appointing several consuls at its head.) The first Asian president was the President of the Republic of China (1912), and the first African President was the President of Liberia created in 1848.

Related Topics:
President of France - Second Republic - 1848 - First Republic - Roman Republic - Consul - Asian - President of the Republic of China - President of Liberia

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Today, the majority of countries have a President as their Head of State.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~