History of Executive order in Timeline

Executive orders are directives issued by a head of state or government to manage the operations of the federal administration. They enable leaders to direct agencies, implement policies, or respond to emergencies without new legislation. Their structure and authority vary by country, but their legality is often subject to constitutional or legislative limits and judicial oversight. The term is most associated with presidential systems like the United States, where executive orders hold legal weight within the president's administration.

1907: US Department of State Instituted Numbering Scheme

In 1907, the US Department of State began numbering executive orders retroactively, starting with United States Executive Order 1, which was issued by President Lincoln on October 20, 1862.

1932: Executive orders determined National mourning

Before 1932, executive orders determined such issues as national mourning on the death of a president and the lowering of flags to half-staff.

March 6, 1933: Franklin Roosevelt Declares Bank Holiday

On March 6, 1933, President Franklin Roosevelt issued his first executive order, declaring a bank holiday and forbidding banks to release gold coin or bullion. Executive Order 6102 forbade the hoarding of gold coin, bullion and gold certificates.

March 7, 1934: National Recovery Review Board Established

On March 7, 1934, President Franklin Roosevelt established the National Recovery Review Board through Executive Order 6632.

1934: NIRA Unconstitutional

In 1934, during the Hughes Court, the Court found the National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA) unconstitutional.

1935: Re-establishing the National Emergency Council

In 1935, President Franklin Roosevelt issued Executive Order 7073 to re-establish the National Emergency Council to administer the functions of the NIRA, which had been found unconstitutional in 1934.

1935: Supreme Court Overturns Executive Orders

In 1935, the Supreme Court overturned five of Franklin Roosevelt's executive orders (6199, 6204, 6256, 6284a and 6855).

1952: Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. v. Sawyer

In 1952, the Supreme Court case of Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. v. Sawyer, 343 US 579, found President Harry Truman's Executive Order 10340 (placing all the country's steel mills under federal control) invalid.

1995: Executive Order 12954 Overturned

In 1995, Executive Order 12954, issued by President Bill Clinton, was overturned by a federal appeals court due to conflict with the National Labor Relations Act.

1997: Hong Kong's Basic Law on Executive Orders

In 1997, Article 48(4) of Hong Kong's Basic Law empowers the Chief Executive to make executive orders, though the scope of this power is not elaborated.

1997: First Executive Order in Hong Kong

In 1997, the first executive order in Hong Kong, the Public Service (Administration) Order 1997 (cited as Executive Order No. 1 of 1997), was issued to replace the role of the Colonial Regulations.

1998: Court of First Instance on Executive Orders

In 1998, the Court of First Instance held in The Association of Expatriate Civil Servants of Hong Kong v Chief Executive that executive orders are not law.

1999: Kosovo War

In 1999, the Kosovo War was fought upon executive order during President Bill Clinton's second term. The war also had authorizing resolutions from Congress.

2001: Executive Order 13233 Issued

In 2001, President George W. Bush issued Executive Order 13233, which restricted public access to the papers of former presidents, drawing criticism for potentially undermining U.S. law on access to presidential papers.

2005: Controversy over Covert Surveillance Order

In 2005, a controversy arose when Chief Executive Donald Tsang issued the Law Enforcement (Covert Surveillance Procedures) Order to regulate covert surveillance conducted by law enforcement agencies.

2007: Georgia Governor Issues Water Reduction Order

In 2007, Sonny Perdue, the governor of Georgia, issued an executive order for all its state agencies to reduce water use during a major drought.

January 2009: Obama Revokes Executive Order 13233

In January 2009, President Barack Obama revoked Executive Order 13233, which had restricted public access to the papers of former presidents.

July 30, 2014: House Approves Resolution to Sue President Obama

On July 30, 2014, the US House of Representatives approved a resolution authorizing Speaker of the House John Boehner to sue President Obama over claims that he exceeded his executive authority in changing a key provision of the Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare").

November 21, 2014: Suit Filed Against President Obama

On November 21, 2014, the suit authorized on July 30, 2014 by the US House of Representatives against President Obama was filed in the US District Court for the District of Columbia.

January 28, 2017: Part of Travel Ban Stayed by Federal Court

On January 28, 2017, a federal court stayed part of President Donald Trump's executive order Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States, which temporarily banned entry to the US of citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries, including for permanent residents.

June 26, 2018: Supreme Court Affirms Travel Ban

On June 26, 2018, the US Supreme Court overturned a lower court order in Trump v. Hawaii and affirmed that President Trump's executive order, which temporarily banned entry to the US of citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries, was within the president's constitutional authority.