Presidents hold the attention of the public like no other political actor. In addition, because of their unique role in the constitutional system, they often take immediate, unilateral action in the face of national emergencies. Exploring key events, crises, and disasters through the lens of presidential responsiveness, this text reveals not only the larger historical context but also the authority of presidents in meeting the "felt necessities of the time," deepening readers\' understanding of those touchstone events. Comprehensive in temporal and topical scope, it covers crises and disasters from George Washington through Donald Trump\'s first two years in office. Important events covered include natural disasters, wars, assassinations, terrorist attacks, mass shootings, economic crises, riots, tragedies, and political scandals. Each event is explored through a primary document that reveals key dimensions of the presidential response, and includes contextual headnotes and essays.