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John Calvin Coolidge, Jr. (July 4, 1872–January 5, 1933) was the twenty-ninth (1921-1923) Vice President and the thirtieth (1923-1929) President of the United States, succeeding to that office upon the death of Warren G. Harding.
Biography
He was born in Plymouth, Windsor County, Vermont on July 4, 1872 to John Calvin Coolidge, Sr. and Victoria Moore. He dropped John from his name upon graduating from college. He attended Amherst College, Massachusetts, graduating in 1895. He practiced law in Northampton, Massachusetts, and was a member of the city council in 1899, city solicitor from 1900-1902, clerk of courts in 1904, and a member of the State house of representatives 1907-1908. In 1905, Coolidge married Grace Anna Goodhue. They were complete opposites personality-wise. She was talkative and fun-loving and Coolidge was quiet and serious. Not long after their marriage Coolidge handed her a bag with 52 pairs of holey socks. Grace's reply was "Did you marry me to darn your socks?" Without cracking a smile and with his usual seriousness, Calvin answered, "No, but I find it mighty handy."
Coolidge was elected mayor of Northampton in 1910 and 1911, was a member of the State senate 1912-1915, serving as president of that body in 1914 and 1915. He was lieutenant governor of the state 1916-1918, and Governor 1919-1920. He was known nationally when the Boston police went on strike. He said, "There is no right to strike against the public safety by anybody, anywhere, anytime."
Presidency
Coolidge sought the Republican presidential nomination in 1920. He lost to Ohio Senator Warren G. Harding. Party leaders wanted to nominate Wisconsin Senator Irvine Lenroot for vice president. However, convention delegates stampeded and nominated Coolidge. The Harding-Coolidge ticket won handily against Ohio Governor James M. Cox and Assistant Secretary of the Navy Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Harding was inaugurated on March 4, 1921, and served until August 3, 1923. Upon Harding's death, Coolidge became President on August 3, 1923. Coolidge was visiting at the family home, still without electricity or telephone, when he got word of Harding's death. His father, a notary public, administered the oath of office in the family's parlor by the light of a kerosene lamp; Coolidge was resworn by a federal official upon his return to Washington.
Before his election in 1924, Coolidge's younger son, Calvin, Jr., contracted a blister from playing tennis on the White House courts. The blister became infected, and Calvin, Jr. died. After that, Coolidge became withdrawn and mute. Before he had been a relatively active, talkative, politician, but now, Coolidge was a man of few words, earning him the nickname "Silent Cal." It is said that a White House dinner guest once made a bet with her friends that she could get the president to say at least three words during the course of the meal. Upon telling Coolidge of her wager, he replied simply with the words "You lose." For a further anecdote illustrating Coolidge's laconic wit, see Coolidge effect.
He was easily elected President of the United States in his own right in 1924 for the term expiring March 4, 1929. Coolidge made use of the new medium of radio and made radio history several times while president: his inauguration was the first presidential inauguration broadcast on radio, on February 12, 1924 he became the first President of the United States to deliver a political speech on radio and on February 22 he also became the first to deliver such a speech from the White House.
Coolidge was the last President of the United States who did not attempt to intervene in free markets, letting business cycles run their course. During his Presidency, the United States experienced a wildly successful period of economic growth: the so-called "Roaring Twenties." Coolidge not only lowered taxes, but also reduced the national debt.
 Coolidge, reporters, and camera men He was not a candidate for renomination; he announced his decision with typical terseness: "I do not choose to run for President in 1928." He served as chairman of the Nonpartisan Railroad Commission and as honorary president of the Foundation of the Blind. He died at "The Beeches," Northampton, Massachusetts, January 5, 1933. Interment is in Notch Cemetery, Plymouth Notch, Vermont.
Cabinet
Supreme Court appointments
Coolidge appointed the following Justices to the Supreme Court of the United States:
Major presidential acts
Quotes
- "Collecting more taxes than absolutely necessary is legalized robbery."
- "I have noticed that nothing I never said ever did me any harm."
- "Patriotism is easy to understand in America. It means looking out for yourself by looking out for your country."
- "Education will not (take the place of persistance); the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan 'press on' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race."
- "The nation which forgets its defenders will be itself forgotten."
Related articles
External links
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