The Constitution sets presidential terms at four years but originally imposed no limit on re-election. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison established a two-term tradition by declining third terms. Franklin Roosevelt shattered this norm by winning four consecutive elections from 1932 to 1944, dying in office during his fourth term in 1945. Congress responded by passing the 22nd Amendment on March 21, 1947. States ratified it February 27, 1951—taking less than four years, unusually fast for constitutional amendments. The amendment bars anyone from being elected President more than twice and prohibits anyone who served more than two years of someone else''s term from being elected more than once. Since 1951, it has prevented six twice-elected presidents from seeking third terms: Dwight Eisenhower, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama. The limit applies only to election, not service—a two-term President could theoretically become Vice President and succeed to the presidency again.