Dwight David Eisenhower

Years in Office: 1953 to 1961

A general in World War II, Eisenhower commanded the greatest army in history. He was the commander of all the Allied armies in Europe. He was the second President to be a West Point graduate.

Eisenhower as the choice of both political parties for their nominee for President in 1952. He was very close to being a bipartisan President (one that represents both parties).


When Ike, as he was called by his friends, finished his second term in office, he was 70 years old, the oldest man in the U.S. history to leave that office at that time.


Almost as soon as he took office, Eisenhower brought an end to U.S. involvement in the Korean War. Other events when he was President were; Dr. Jonas Salk discovered a vaccine to prevent polio, the first satellite was launched in 1958, jet passenger service began on U.S. airlines and Alaska and Hawaii were admitted to the Union as 49th and 50th states.


Eisenhower was the first President to have his inaugural ceremonies on television.