Why is there even a president?

It all started in 1776 when the U.S. broke apart from Britain. Congress then negotiated the Articles of Confederation to bring an alliance between the colonies. Under the articles, there was no legislative power. In 1783, the Treaty of Paris secured their independence for all the colonies. By 1787, all the colonies besides Rhode Island made arrangements from both legislative and executive branches. All the colonies except New York maintained a weak executive power but a strong legislative power. However, the closed-door negotiations in Philadelphia made the executive branch of presidency grow. As a result, George Washington was elected President in 1788, making every leap year an election year ever since. That is why we have a president.