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CURRENT EVENT | November 8, 2016

Why the U.S. Calls Its Leader President

When the founding fathers of the United States were writing the Constitution in the 1780s, they were deadlocked about what to call the leader of the executive branch. At the time, “president” was used in other contexts. University heads were called presidents and heads of colonies sometimes used that title as well. But until President George Washington, this word had never been used to describe a leader of a country. Listen to hear how the decision was finally reached.

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Why President? How The U.S. Named Its Leader

SOURCE:

02/15/2016

Listening Link (share with students)

Copy this link and distribute for students to listen from their own device.

https://app.listenwise.com/students/events/780-why-the-u-s-calls-its-leader-president

Listening Comprehension Questions

What do the Latin roots of the word “president” mean?
What other leaders at the time were known as presidents?
Why was it a difficult decision for Congress to decide what to call their new leader?
How do you think a different title, such as “highness,” would have worked?
Why do you think other countries have copied the term “president”?

Classroom Discussion Themes

If you could choose a new title for the president, what would you choose?
Why do you think titles are important? How would a different title have made a difference?

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