History
How Executive Orders Expand Presidential Power Over Time
Quick fact
While the U.S. Constitution never mentions executive orders, every president since George Washington has used them—issuing over 13,000 in total—and their use has surged in modern times, with recent presidents averaging over 40 per year.
Why this is interesting
You've probably heard that presidents can 'sign orders' that change national policy without Congress. But how did a simple memo from the White House become one of the most powerful tools in American government?