TIMELINE: A century of national emergencies

In 1976, Congress passed the National Emergencies Act (NEA), giving a specific procedure to powers granted to the president by the U.S. Constitution during a crisis. Since the Act, the Brennan Center for Justice reports that there have been 59 emergencies declared, 31 of which are still in effect. Each sitting president since Jimmy Carter has declared at least one national emergency. However, even before the NEA, various presidents felt the need to issue emergency proclamations during times of crises.