1793: Neutrality Proclamation

Washington announces neutrality in war between England and France. Congress sanctioned, 1794.

1863: Emancipation Proclamation

Lincoln frees slaves in rebel states. In 1865, the 13th Amendment prohibits slavery.

1909: Executive Order 1142

Taft restricts executive branch contacts with Congress. Overturned by statute, 1912.

1933–34: Series of Executive Orders

Roosevelt implements the National Industrial Recovery Act of 1933. Supreme Court invalidated, 1935.

1942: Executive Order 9066

Roosevelt places Japanese-Americans in detention camps. Upheld by the Supreme Court.

1944: Series of Executive Orders

Roosevelt creates new agencies. Curbed by Congress with the Russell Amendment.

1947: Executive Order 9835

Truman requires loyalty investigations of executive branch employees. Upheld by the Supreme Court.

1948: Executive Order 9981

Truman desegregates armed forces. Fully implemented by 1955 during the Eisenhower administration.

1952: Executive Order 10340

Truman seizes steel mills. The Supreme Court overturned the order.

1965: Executive Order 11246

Johnson orders nondiscrimination by governmental contractors. Upheld by federal courts.

1971: Proclamation 4074

Nixon imposes a 10 percent surcharge on imports. Upheld by federal courts.

1971: Executive Order 11605

Nixon expands powers of Subversive Activities Control Board. Congress nullified the order.

1975: Proclamation 4341

Ford places fee on imported oil. Upheld by the Supreme Court.

1978: Executive Order 12092

Carter denies contracts to violators of wage and price guidelines. Upheld by federal courts.

1980: Proclamation 4744

Carter imposes fee on imported oil. Struck down by a federal court.

1983–85: National Security Decision Directives

Reagan secretly implements Iran-contra policy. Authority restricted by a 1991 statute.