The fledgling nation's revolutionary Founding Fathers become its first administrators, from George Washington, who defined the presidency, to James Monroe, who was the last of the Revolutionary War heroes.

America's leadership changes hands from the Founding Fathers to a new breed of "Founding Sons;" the period is marked by the bitterest election in U.S. history, the first succession crisis and the first impeachment resolution against a president.

Volatile issues of states' rights and slavery erupt into civil war; this period is marked by the rough-hewn style of Zachary Taylor, the near-treasonous activities of the James Buchanan administration and the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.

The nation faces the difficult task of rebuilding a union after four years of civil war and a presidential assassination.

The Gilded Age features a new breed of men who occupy the White House.

A challenging period of U.S. history is marked by financial depression and two world wars.