John Calvin Coolidge Jr.
30th President of the United States
In office August 2, 1923 – March 4, 1929
Vice President	None (1923–1925) Charles G. Dawes, (1925–1929)
Preceded by	Warren G. Harding
Succeeded by	Herbert Hoover
29th Vice President of the United States
In office March 4, 1921 – August 2, 1923
President	Warren G. Harding
Preceded by	Thomas R. Marshall
Succeeded by	Charles G. Dawes
48th Governor of Massachusetts
In office January 2, 1919 – January 6, 1921
Lieutenant	Channing H. Cox
Preceded by	Samuel W. McCall
Succeeded by	Channing H. Cox
53rd Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts
In office January 6, 1916 – January 2, 1919
Governor	Samuel W. McCall
Preceded by	Grafton D. Cushing
Succeeded by	Channing H. Cox
Born	July 4, 1872(1872-07-04) Plymouth, Vermont
Died	January 5, 1933 (aged 60) Northampton, Massachusetts
Nationality	American
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Grace Goodhue Coolidge
Alma mater	Amherst College
Religion	Congregationalist
Signature

John Calvin Coolidge, Jr. The President of the United States is the Head of state and Head of government of the United States and is the highest political official in United States by Events 338 BC - A Macedonian army led by Philip II defeated the combined forces of Athens and Thebes in the Year 1923 ( MCMXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 51 - Nero, later to become Roman Emperor, is given the title Princeps iuventutis (head of the youth Year 1929 ( MCMXXIX) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Charles Gates Dawes (August 27 1865 &ndash April 23 1951 was an American Banker and Politician who was the thirtieth Vice President of the United States Warren Gamaliel Harding (November 2 1865 August 2 1923 was the twenty-ninth President of the United States, serving from 1921 until his death from a heart attack aged Herbert Clark Hoover (August 10 1874 &ndash October 20 1964 was the thirty-first President of the United States (1929–1933 The Vice President of the United States is the first person in the presidential line of succession, becoming the new President of the United States upon the death Events 51 - Nero, later to become Roman Emperor, is given the title Princeps iuventutis (head of the youth Year 1921 ( MCMXXI) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full 1921 calendar of the Gregorian calendar Events 338 BC - A Macedonian army led by Philip II defeated the combined forces of Athens and Thebes in the Year 1923 ( MCMXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Warren Gamaliel Harding (November 2 1865 August 2 1923 was the twenty-ninth President of the United States, serving from 1921 until his death from a heart attack aged Thomas Riley Marshall (March 14 1854 June 1 1925 was an American Politician who served as the twenty-eighth Vice President of the United States of America Charles Gates Dawes (August 27 1865 &ndash April 23 1951 was an American Banker and Politician who was the thirtieth Vice President of the United States The Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is the executive magistrate of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, United States. Events 366 - The Alamanni cross the frozen Rhine River in large numbers invading the Roman Empire. Year 1919 ( MCMXIX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Events 1066 - Harold Godwinson is crowned King of England. 1205 - Philip of Swabia becomes King Year 1921 ( MCMXXI) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full 1921 calendar of the Gregorian calendar The Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts is the first in the line to discharge the powers and duties of the office of governor following the incapacitation of the Governor of Channing Harris Cox ( October 28, 1879 August 20, 1968) was a Massachusetts Republican politician and Governor Samuel Walker McCall ( February 28, 1851 – November 4, 1923) was a member of the United States House of Representatives, and Channing Harris Cox ( October 28, 1879 August 20, 1968) was a Massachusetts Republican politician and Governor The Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts is the first in the line to discharge the powers and duties of the office of governor following the incapacitation of the Governor of Events 1066 - Harold Godwinson is crowned King of England. 1205 - Philip of Swabia becomes King Year 1916 ( MCMXVI) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year Events 366 - The Alamanni cross the frozen Rhine River in large numbers invading the Roman Empire. Year 1919 ( MCMXIX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Samuel Walker McCall ( February 28, 1851 – November 4, 1923) was a member of the United States House of Representatives, and Grafton D Cushing was an American Politician who served as Lieutenant Governor for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts from 1915 to 1916 Channing Harris Cox ( October 28, 1879 August 20, 1968) was a Massachusetts Republican politician and Governor Events 836 - Pactum Sicardi, peace between the Principality of Benevento and the Duchy of Naples Year 1872 ( MDCCCLXXII) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap year Plymouth is a town in Windsor County, Vermont, United States. Vermont ( is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. Events 1477 - Battle of Nancy: Charles the Bold is killed and Burgundy becomes part of France. Year 1933 ( MCMXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Northampton is a city in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts ( is a state located in the New England region of the northeastern United States. Grace Anna Goodhue Coolidge ( January 3, 1879 – July 8, 1957) was wife of Calvin Coolidge and First Lady of the United Alma mater is Latin for "nourishing mother" It was used in Ancient Rome as a title for the mother Goddess, and in Medieval Amherst College is a private liberal arts college in Amherst, Massachusetts, USA. Congregational churches are Protestant Christian churches practicing Congregationalist church governance, in which each congregation independently (July 4, 1872 – January 5, 1933) was the thirtieth President of the United States (1923–1929). Events 836 - Pactum Sicardi, peace between the Principality of Benevento and the Duchy of Naples Year 1872 ( MDCCCLXXII) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap year Events 1477 - Battle of Nancy: Charles the Bold is killed and Burgundy becomes part of France. Year 1933 ( MCMXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The President of the United States is the Head of state and Head of government of the United States and is the highest political official in United States by A Republican lawyer from Vermont, Coolidge worked his way up the ladder of Massachusetts state politics, eventually becoming governor of that state. Vermont ( is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts ( is a state located in the New England region of the northeastern United States. His actions during the Boston Police Strike of 1919 thrust him into the national spotlight. The Boston Police Strike was a strike by the Boston police rank and file that began on September 9 1919 after Police Commissioner Edwin Upton Curtis refused to allow Soon after, he was elected as the twenty-ninth Vice President in 1920 and succeeded to the Presidency upon the death of Warren G. Harding. The Vice President of the United States is the first person in the presidential line of succession, becoming the new President of the United States upon the death Warren Gamaliel Harding (November 2 1865 August 2 1923 was the twenty-ninth President of the United States, serving from 1921 until his death from a heart attack aged Elected in his own right in 1924, he gained a reputation as a small-government conservative. Fiscal conservatism (also known as economic conservatism is a political phrase term used in North America to describe advocacy of lower governmental spending practices and a

In many ways Coolidge's style of governance was a throwback to the passive presidency of the nineteenth century. ^[1] He restored public confidence in the White House after the scandals of his predecessor's administration, and left office with considerable popularity. Warren Gamaliel Harding (November 2 1865 August 2 1923 was the twenty-ninth President of the United States, serving from 1921 until his death from a heart attack aged ^[2] As his biographer later put it, "he embodied the spirit and hopes of the middle class, could interpret their longings and express their opinions. The middle class, in colloquial usage consists of those who have some economic independence but not a great deal of social Influence or power. That he did represent the genius of the average is the most convincing proof of his strength. "^[3]

Many later criticized Coolidge as part of a general criticism of laissez-faire government. Laissez-faire ( pronunciation: French,; English,) is a French phrase literally meaning Let do (“allow to do” ^[4] His reputation underwent a renaissance during the Reagan administration,^[5] but the ultimate assessment of his presidency is still divided between those who approve of his reduction of the size of government and those who believe the federal government should be more involved in regulating the economy. ^[6]

Family and early life

Birth and family history

John Calvin Coolidge, Jr. was born in Plymouth, Windsor County, Vermont, on July 4, 1872, the only U. Plymouth is a town in Windsor County, Vermont, United States. Windsor County is a County located in the US state of Vermont. Vermont ( is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. Events 836 - Pactum Sicardi, peace between the Principality of Benevento and the Duchy of Naples Year 1872 ( MDCCCLXXII) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap year S. President to be born on the fourth of July. In the United States, Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July (or the Fourth) is a Federal holiday commemorating the adoption He was the elder of two children of John Calvin Sr. and Victoria Coolidge. The Coolidge family had deep roots in New England. History See also History of New England New England's earliest inhabitants were Algonquian -speaking Native Americans including the His earliest American ancestor, John Coolidge, emigrated from Cambridge, England, around 1630 and settled in Watertown, Massachusetts. The city of Cambridge (ˈkeɪmbrɪdʒ is a university town and the administrative centre of the county of Cambridgeshire, England England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland The Town of Watertown is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts ( is a state located in the New England region of the northeastern United States. ^[7] Coolidge's great-great-grandfather, also named John Coolidge, was an American army officer in the American Revolution, and was one of the first selectmen of the town of Plymouth Notch. In this article the inhabitants of the thirteen colonies that supported the American Revolution are primarily referred to as "Americans" with occasional references to "Patriots" The Board of Selectmen is commonly the executive arm of Town Governments in the New England region of the United States. ^[8] Most of Coolidge's ancestors were farmers. The more well-known Coolidges, such as architect Charles Allerton Coolidge, and diplomat Archibald Cary Coolidge, were descended from other branches of the family that had stayed in Massachusetts. Archibald Cary Coolidge ( March 6 1866 – January 14 1928) was an American Educator. ^[7] Coolidge's grandmother Sarah Almeda Brewer had two famous first cousins: Arthur Brown, a United States Senator, and Olympia Brown, a women's suffragist. See Arthur Brown for others with the same name Arthur Brown ( March 8 1843 - December 12 1906) was a United States The United States Senate is the Upper house of the bicameral United States Congress, the Lower house being the House of Representatives Olympia Brown ( January 5, 1835 – October 23, 1926) was an American suffragist.

Coolidge as an Amherst undergraduate

Coolidge's grandfather, Calvin Coolidge, held some local government offices in Plymouth and was best remembered as a man with "a fondness for practical jokes". ^[9] His grandmother, Sarah Brewer, was also of New England. It is through this ancestor that Coolidge claimed to be descended in part from American Indians. Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples from the regions of North America now encompassed by the continental United States ^[10] Coolidge's father was a farmer, but spent some time as a schoolteacher and justice of the peace. A Justice of the Peace ( JP) is a Puisne Judicial officer appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace ^[11] His mother, Victoria Josephine Moor Coolidge, was the daughter of another Plymouth Notch farmer. ^[12] Coolidge's mother was chronically ill, possibly suffering from tuberculosis, and died young in 1884, but Coolidge's father lived to see him become President. Tuberculosis (abbreviated as TB for tubercle bacillus or T u' b' erculosis Bacillus --> is a common ^[13]

Early career and marriage

Western Massachusetts lawyer

After graduating from Amherst, at his father's urging, Coolidge moved to Northampton, Massachusetts to take up the practice of law. Northampton is a city in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States. Avoiding the costly alternative of attending a law school, Coolidge followed the more common practice at the time of apprenticing with a local firm, Hammond & Field. A law school (also known as a school of law or college of law) is an institution specializing in Legal education. John C. Hammond and Henry P. Field, both Amherst graduates themselves, introduced Coolidge to the law practice in the county seat of Hampshire County. Hampshire County is a non-governmental County located in the U In 1897, Coolidge was admitted to the bar. With his savings and a small inheritance from his grandfather, Coolidge was able to open his own law office in Northampton in 1898, where he practiced transactional law, believing that he served his clients best by staying out of court. As his reputation as a hard-working and diligent attorney grew, local banks and other businesses began to retain his services. ^[14]

Marriage and family

In 1905 Coolidge met and married Grace Anna Goodhue, a local schoolteacher and fellow Vermonter. Grace Anna Goodhue Coolidge ( January 3, 1879 – July 8, 1957) was wife of Calvin Coolidge and First Lady of the United They were opposites in personality: she was talkative and fun-loving, while Coolidge was quiet and serious. ^[15] Not long after their marriage, Coolidge handed her a bag with fifty-two pairs of socks in it, all of them full of holes. 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. "^[16] They had two sons; John Coolidge, born in 1906, and Calvin Coolidge, Jr., born in 1908. John Coolidge ( September 7 1906 &ndash May 31 2000) was the first son of U Calvin Coolidge Jr ( April 13, 1908 - July 7, 1924) was the son of President Calvin Coolidge Calvin Jr ^[17] The marriage was, by most accounts, a happy one. ^[18] As Coolidge wrote in his Autobiography, "We thought we were made for each other. For almost a quarter of a century she has borne with my infirmities, and I have rejoiced in her graces. "^[19]

Local political office

City offices

The Republican Party was dominant in New England in Coolidge's time, and he followed Hammond's and Field's example by becoming active in local politics. ^[20] Coolidge campaigned locally for Republican presidential candidate William McKinley in 1896, and the next year he was selected to be a member of the Republican City Committee. William McKinley Jr ( January 29, 1843 September 14, 1901) was the twenty-fifth President of the United States, and the last ^[21] In 1898, he won election to the City Council of Northampton, placing second in a ward where the top three candidates were elected. A city council is a form of Local government, usually covering a City or other Urban area, such as a Town. ^[21] The position offered no salary, but gave Coolidge experience in the political world. ^[22] In 1899, he declined renomination, running instead for City Solicitor, a position elected by the City Council. A "solicitor" is a term used in many Common law jurisdictions for a lawyer who offers legal services outside of the courts He was elected for a one-year term in 1900, and reelected in 1901. ^[23] This position gave Coolidge more experience as a lawyer, and paid a salary of $600. ^[23] In 1902, the city council selected a Democrat for city solicitor, and Coolidge returned to an exclusively private practice. ^[24] Soon thereafter, however, the clerk of courts for the county died, and Coolidge was chosen to replace him. A court clerk ( British English clerk to the court; American English clerk of the court or clerk of court) is an Officer of the The position paid well, but barred him from practicing law, so he only remained at the job for one year. ^[24] The next year, 1904, Coolidge met with his only defeat before the voters, losing an election to the Northampton school board. A board of education or a school Board or school committee is the title of the Board of directors of a school local School district When told that some of his neighbors voted against him because he had no children in the schools he would govern, Coolidge replied "Might give me time!"^[24]

State legislator and mayor

Calvin and Grace Coolidge, about 1918.

In 1906 the local Republican committee nominated Coolidge for election to the state House of Representatives. The Massachusetts House of Representatives is the Lower house of the Massachusetts General Court, the state legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts He won a close victory over the incumbent Democrat, and reported to Boston for the 1907 session of the Massachusetts General Court. The Democratic Party is one of two major Political parties in the United States, the other being the Republican Party. The Massachusetts General Court (formally styled The General Court of Massachusetts) is the state legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts ^[25] In his freshman term, Coolidge served on minor committees and, although he usually voted with the party, was known as a Progressive Republican, voting in favor of such measures as women's suffrage and the direct election of Senators. The United States Progressive Party of 1912 was a political party created by a split in the Republican Party in the presidential election of 1912. The Seventeenth Amendment ( Amendment XVII) of the United States Constitution was passed by the Senate on June 12 1911 and by the House on May 13 1912 ^[26] Throughout his time in Boston, Coolidge found himself allied primarily with the western Winthrop Murray Crane faction of the state Republican Party, as against the Henry Cabot Lodge-dominated eastern faction. Winthrop Murray Crane ( April 23, 1853 October 2, 1920) was a U This article is about Henry Cabot Lodge (1850-1924 a US politician in the early twentieth century ^[27] In 1907, he was elected to a second term. In the 1908 session, Coolidge was more outspoken, but was still not one of the leaders in the legislature. ^[28]

Instead of vying for another term in the state house, Coolidge returned home to his growing family and ran for mayor of Northampton when the incumbent Democrat retired. A mayor (from the Latin māior, meaning "greater" is a modern title used in many countries for the highest ranking officer in a municipal government He was well-liked in the town, and defeated his challenger by a vote of 1,597 to 1,409. ^[29] During his first term (1910 to 1911), he increased teachers' salaries and retired some of the city's debt while still managing to effect a slight tax decrease. ^[30] He was renominated in 1911, and defeated the same opponent by a slightly larger margin. ^[31]

Calvin Coolidge as a young legislator

In 1911 the State Senator for the Hampshire County area retired and encouraged Coolidge to run for his seat for the 1912 session. The Massachusetts Senate is the upper house of the Massachusetts General Court, the Bicameral state legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He defeated his Democratic opponent by a large margin. ^[32] At the start of that term, Coolidge was selected to be chairman of a committee to arbitrate the "Bread and Roses" strike by the workers of the American Woolen Company in Lawrence, Massachusetts. The slogan " Bread and Roses " originated in a poem of that name by James Oppenheim, published in American Magazine in December 1911 which attributed it to The American Woolen Company was established in 1899 under the leadership of William M Lawrence is a city in Essex County Massachusetts, United States on the Merrimack River. ^[33] After two tense months, the company agreed to the workers' demands in a settlement the committee proposed. ^[34] The other major issue for Republicans that year was the party split between the progressive wing, which favored Theodore Roosevelt, and the conservative wing, which favored William Howard Taft. The United States presidential election of 1912 was fought among three major candidates two of whom had previously won election to the office Theodore Roosevelt (ˈroʊzəvɛlt October 27 1858 January 6 1919 also known as T William Howard Taft (September 15 1857 – March 8 1930 was an American politician, the twenty-seventh President of the United States, the tenth Chief Justice Although he favored some progressive measures, Coolidge refused to bolt the party. ^[35] When the new Progressive Party declined to run a candidate in his state senate district, Coolidge won reelection against his Democratic opponent by an increased margin. The United States Progressive Party of 1912 was a political party created by a split in the Republican Party in the presidential election of 1912. ^[35]

The 1913 session was less eventful, and Coolidge's time was mostly spent on the railroad committee, of which he was the chairman. ^[36] Coolidge intended to retire after the 1913 session, as two terms were the norm, but when the President of the State Senate, Levi H. Greenwood, considered running for Lieutenant Governor, Coolidge decided to run again for the Senate in the hopes of being elected as its presiding officer. The President of the Massachusetts Senate is the presiding officer Levi H Greenwood was a Republican politician from Massachusetts in the early twentieth century ^[37] Although Greenwood later decided to run for reelection to the Senate, he was defeated and Coolidge was elected, with Crane's help, as the President of a closely divided Senate. ^[38] After his election in January 1914, Coolidge delivered a speech entitled Have Faith in Massachusetts, which was later republished as a book. ^[39] His speech, later much-quoted, summarized Coolidge's philosophy of government.

Coolidge's speech was well-received and he attracted some admirers on its account. ^[41] Towards the end of the term, many of them were proposing his name for nomination to lieutenant governor. After winning reelection to the Senate by an increased margin in the 1914 elections, Coolidge was reelected unanimously to be President of the Senate. ^[42] As the 1915 session drew to a close, Coolidge's supporters, led by fellow Amherst alumnus Frank Stearns, encouraged him once again to run for lieutenant governor. Frank W Stearns was a close friend of Calvin Coolidge, joining them as honored guests at the Republican National Convention in California when Coolidge This time, he accepted their advice. ^[43]

Lieutenant Governor

Coolidge entered the primary election for lieutenant governor and was nominated to run alongside gubernatorial candidate Samuel W. McCall. A primary election ( nominating primary) also referred to simply as a primary, is an election in which voters in a Jurisdiction select candidates Samuel Walker McCall ( February 28, 1851 – November 4, 1923) was a member of the United States House of Representatives, and Coolidge was the leading vote-getter in the Republican primary, and balanced the Republican ticket by adding a western presence to McCall's eastern base of support. In United States politics balancing the ticket is when a political candidate chooses a Running mate with the goal of bringing more widespread appeal to the campaign ^[44] McCall and Coolidge won the 1915 election, with Coolidge defeating his opponent by more than 50,000 votes. ^[45]

Coolidge's duties as lieutenant governor were few; in Massachusetts, the lieutenant governor does not preside over the state Senate, although Coolidge did become an ex officio member of the governor's cabinet. ^[46] As a full-time elected official, Coolidge no longer practiced law after 1916, though his family continued to live in Northampton. ^[47] McCall and Coolidge were both reelected in 1916 and again in 1917 (both offices were one-year terms in those days). When McCall decided that he would not stand for a fourth term, Coolidge announced his own intention to run for governor. ^[48]

Governor of Massachusetts

1918 election

Coolidge was unopposed for the Republican nomination for Governor of Massachusetts in 1918. This is a list of the governors of Massachusetts who have presided over the Commonwealth of Massachusetts since 1780 He and his running mate, Channing Cox, a Boston lawyer and Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, ran on the previous administration's record: fiscal conservatism, a vague opposition to Prohibition, support for women's suffrage, and support for American involvement in the First World War. Channing Harris Cox ( October 28, 1879 August 20, 1968) was a Massachusetts Republican politician and Governor The Massachusetts House of Representatives is the Lower house of the Massachusetts General Court, the state legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Fiscal conservatism (also known as economic conservatism is a political phrase term used in North America to describe advocacy of lower governmental spending practices and a Prohibition of alcohol, often referred to simply as prohibition, also known as Noble Experiment, refers to a Sumptuary law which prohibits Alcohol World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All ^[49] The issue of the war proved divisive, especially among Irish- and German-Americans. Irish Americans (Gael-Mheiriceánach are citizens of the United States who can claim ancestry originating in Ireland. German Americans ( German: Deutschamerikaner) are citizens of the United States of Ethnic German ancestry ^[50] Coolidge was elected by a margin of 16,773 votes over his opponent, Richard H. Long, in the smallest margin of victory of any of his state-wide campaigns. ^[51]

Boston Police Strike

Main article: Boston Police Strike

In 1919 in response to rumors that policemen of the Boston Police Department planned to form a trade union, Police Commissioner Edwin U. Curtis issued a statement saying that such a move would not be countenanced. The Boston Police Strike was a strike by the Boston police rank and file that began on September 9 1919 after Police Commissioner Edwin Upton Curtis refused to allow The Boston Police Department ( BPD) has the primary responsibility for law enforcement and investigation within the city of Boston Massachusetts. A trade union or labour union is an organization of workers who have banded together to achieve common goals in key areas such as wages hours and working conditions forming Edwin Upton Curtis (b Roxbury Massachusetts May 26, 1861 - d March 28, 1922) was an American politician from In August of that year, the American Federation of Labor issued a charter to the Boston Police Union. The American Federation of Labor (AFL was one of the first federations of labor unions in the United States ^[52] Curtis said the union's leaders were insubordinate and planned to relieve them of duty, but said that he would suspend the sentence if the union was dissolved by September 4. Events 476 - Romulus Augustus, last emperor of the Western Roman Empire, is deposed when Odoacer proclaims himself ^[53] The mayor of Boston, Andrew Peters, convinced Curtis to delay his action for a few days, but Curtis ultimately suspended the union leaders after a brief delay, on September 8. Andrew James Peters was a member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Massachusetts's 11th congressional district from 1907 to 1914 and Events 70 - Roman forces under Titus sack Jerusalem. 1264 - The Statute of Kalisz ^[54]

The following day about three-quarters of the policemen in Boston went on strike. ^[56] Coolidge had observed the situation throughout the conflict, but had not yet intervened. That night and the next, there was sporadic violence and rioting in the lawless city. Riots are a form of Civil disorders characterized by disorganized groups lashing out in a sudden and intense rash of Violence, Vandalism or other ^[57] Peters, concerned about sympathy strikes, had called up some units of the Massachusetts National Guard stationed in the Boston area and relieved Curtis of duty. A sympathy strike is a Strike action that is initiated by workers in one industry and supported by workers in a separate but related industry or profession The Massachusetts National Guard was founded as the Massachusetts Bay Colonial Militia on December 13, 1636, and contains the oldest units in the United States For the National Guard of a State and other countries' National Guard see National Guard. ^[58] Coolidge, furious that the mayor had called out state guard units, finally acted. ^[59] He called up more units of the National Guard, restored Curtis to office, and took personal control of the police force. ^[60] Curtis proclaimed that none of the strikers would be allowed back to their former jobs, and Coolidge issued calls for a new police force to be recruited. ^[61]

Samuel Gompers.

That night Coolidge received a telegram from AFL leader Samuel Gompers. Samuel Gompers (January 27 1850 - December 13 1924 was an American labor union leader and a key figure in American labor history. "Whatever disorder has occurred", Gompers wrote, "is due to Curtis's order in which the right of the policemen has been denied …"^[62] Coolidge publicly answered Gompers's telegram with the response that would launch him into the national consciousness (quoted, above left). ^[62] Newspapers across the nation picked up on Coolidge's statement and he became the newest hero to defenders of American capitalism. In the midst of the First Red Scare, many Americans were terrified of the spread of communist revolution, like those that had taken place in Russia, Hungary, and Germany. In American history, the First Red Scare took place in the period 1917–1920 and was marked by a widespread fear of Anarchism, as well as the effects of radical Communism is a Socioeconomic structure that promotes the establishment of an egalitarian, classless, stateless Society based See also Russian Revolution (1905 The Russian Revolution of 1916 refers to a series of popular revolutions in Russia, and the events surrounding them The Hungarian Soviet Republic or Soviet Republic of Hungary (Magyarországi Tanácsköztársaság was a Communist regime established in Hungary from While Coolidge had lost some friends among organized labor, conservatives across the nation had seen a rising star.

1919 election

Coolidge and Cox were renominated for their respective offices in 1919. By this time Coolidge's supporters (especially Stearns) had publicized his actions in the Police Strike around the state and the nation and some of Coolidge's speeches were reissued as a book. ^[39] He was faced with the same opponent as in 1918, Richard Long, but this time Coolidge defeated him by 125,101 votes, many times more than his margin of victory from a year earlier. ^[63] His actions in the police strike, combined with the massive electoral victory, led to suggestions that Coolidge should run for President in 1920. ^[64]

Legislation and vetoes as governor

By the time Coolidge was inaugurated on January 1, 1919 the First World War had ended, and Coolidge pushed the legislature to give a $100 bonus to Massachusetts veterans. New Year See also New Year The Ancient Romans began their consular year on January 1st since 153 BC Year 1919 ( MCMXIX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common He also signed a bill reducing the work week for women and children from fifty-four hours to forty-eight, saying "we must humanize the industry, or the system will break down. Child labor is the employment of Children at regular and sustained labour "^[65] He signed into law a budget that kept the tax rates the same, while trimming four million dollars from expenditures, thus allowing the state to retire some of its debt. ^[66]

Coolidge also wielded the veto pen as governor. A veto, Latin for "I forbid" is used to Denote that a certain party has the right to stop unilaterally a certain piece of Legislation. His most publicized veto was of a bill that would have increased legislators' pay by 50%. ^[67] In May 1920, he vetoed a bill that would have allowed the sale of beer or wine of 2.75% alcohol or less, in contravention of the Eighteenth Amendment. Low-alcohol beer (also non-alcoholic or NA beer, small beer, or small ale or near-beer) is Beer with very Amendment XVIII (the Eighteenth Amendment) of the United States Constitution, along with the Volstead Act (which defined "intoxicating liquors" Although Coolidge himself was opposed to Prohibition, he felt constrained to veto the bill. "Opinions and instructions do not outmatch the Constitution," he said in his veto message, "Against it, they are void. "^[68]

Vice Presidency

1920 election

Main article: United States presidential election, 1920

At the 1920 Republican Convention most of the delegates were selected by state party conventions, not primaries. The United States presidential election of 1920 was dominated by the Aftermath of World War I and the hostile reaction to Woodrow Wilson, the Democratic president The 1920 National Convention of the Republican Party of the United States nominated Ohio Senator Warren G As such, the field was divided among many local favorites. ^[69] Coolidge was one such candidate, and while he placed as high as sixth in the voting, the powerful party bosses never considered him a serious candidate. After ten ballots, the delegates settled on Senator Warren G. Harding of Ohio as their nominee for President. Warren Gamaliel Harding (November 2 1865 August 2 1923 was the twenty-ninth President of the United States, serving from 1921 until his death from a heart attack aged Ohio ( is a Midwestern state of the United States. As part of the Great Lakes region, Ohio has long been a cultural and geographical crossroads ^[70] When the time came to select a Vice Presidential nominee, the party bosses had also made a decision on who they would nominate: Senator Irvine Lenroot of Wisconsin. Irvine Luther Lenroot ( January 31, 1869 &ndash January 26, 1949) was a member of the United States Republican Party (GOP who Wisconsin ( or wɪˈskɑnsɨn (French Ouisconsin) is one of the fifty United States of America, located in the north central part of the United States ^[71] A delegate from Oregon, Wallace McCamant, having read Have Faith in Massachusetts, proposed Coolidge for Vice President instead. Oregon ( is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. Wallace McCamant ( September 22 1867 - December 17 1944) was an American jurist in Oregon. The Vice President of the United States is the first person in the presidential line of succession, becoming the new President of the United States upon the death ^[71] The suggestion caught on quickly, and Coolidge found himself unexpectedly nominated. ^[72]

President Harding and Vice President Coolidge and their wives.

The Democrats nominated another Ohioan, James M. Cox, for President and the Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Franklin D. Roosevelt, for Vice President. James Middleton Cox ( March 31, 1870 July 15, 1957) was a Governor of Ohio, U The question of the United States joining the League of Nations was a major issue in the campaign, as was the unfinished legacy of Progressivism. The League of Nations was an International organization founded as a result of the Treaty of Versailles in 1919–1920 Progressivism is a term that refers to a broad school of international social and political philosophies. ^[73] Harding ran a "front-porch" campaign from his home in Marion, Ohio, but Coolidge took to the campaign trail in the Upper South, New York, and New England. Marion is a city in the US state of Ohio and the County seat of Marion County. The terms Upper South and Upland South refer to the northern part of the Southern United States, in contrast to the Lower South or Deep South. New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous ^[74] On November 2, 1920, Harding and Coolidge were victorious in a landslide, winning every state outside the South. Events 1570 - A Tidal wave in the North Sea devastates the coast from Holland to Jutland, killing more than 1000 Year 1920 ( MCMXX) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display 1920 of the Gregorian calendar ^[75] They also won in Tennessee, the first time a Republican ticket had won a Southern state since Reconstruction. Tennessee ( is a state located in the Southern United States. ^[75]

"Silent Cal"

The Vice Presidency did not carry many official duties, but Coolidge was invited by President Harding to attend cabinet meetings, making him the first Vice President to do so. ^[76] He gave speeches around the country, but none were especially noteworthy. ^[77]

As Vice President, Coolidge and his vivacious wife Grace were invited to quite a few parties, where the legend of "Silent Cal" was born. Grace Anna Goodhue Coolidge ( January 3, 1879 – July 8, 1957) was wife of Calvin Coolidge and First Lady of the United It was from this time most of the jokes and anecdotes at his expense originate. Although Coolidge was known to be a skilled and effective public speaker, in private he was a man of few words and was therefore commonly referred to as "Silent Cal. " A possibly apocryphal story has it that Dorothy Parker, seated next to him at a dinner, said to him, "Mr. Dorothy Parker (August 22 1893&ndashJune 7 1967 was an American writer and poet best known for her caustic Wit, wisecracks and sharp eye for 20th century urban foibles Coolidge, I've made a bet against a fellow who said it was impossible to get more than two words out of you. " His famous reply: "You lose. "^[78] It was also Parker who, upon learning that Coolidge had died, reportedly remarked, "How can they tell?"^[79] Coolidge often seemed uncomfortable among fashionable Washington society; when asked why he continued to attend so many of their dinner parties, he replied "Got to eat somewhere. "^[80]

As President, Coolidge's reputation as a quiet man continued. "The words of a President have an enormous weight," he would later write, "and ought not to be used indiscriminately. "^[81] Coolidge was aware of his stiff reputation; indeed, he cultivated it. "I think the American people want a solemn ass as a President," he once told Ethel Barrymore, "and I think I will go along with them. Ethel Barrymore ( August 15, 1879 – June 18, 1959) was an Academy Award -winning American actress and a member of "^[82]

Presidency 1923–1929

Coolidge's father, John Calvin Coolidge, Sr.

Succession to the Presidency

On August 2, 1923, President Harding died while on a speaking tour in California. Events 338 BC - A Macedonian army led by Philip II defeated the combined forces of Athens and Thebes in the Year 1923 ( MCMXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. California ( is a US state on the West Coast of the United States, along the Pacific Ocean. ^[83] Vice President Coolidge was visiting his family home, which did not have electricity or a telephone, in Vermont when he received word by messenger of Harding's death. The Coolidge Homestead, also known as Calvin Coolidge Homestead District or Calvin Coolidge State Historical Site, was the childhood home of the thirtieth ^[84] Coolidge dressed, said a prayer, and came downstairs to greet the reporters who had assembled. ^[84] His father, a notary public, administered the oath of office in the family's parlor by the light of a kerosene lamp at 2:47 a. A notary public is an officer who can administer Oaths and Statutory Declarations Witness and authenticate documents An oath of office is an Oath or Affirmation a person takes before undertaking the duties of an Office, usually a position in government or within a religious m. on August 3, 1923; Coolidge then went back to bed. Events 8 - Roman Empire General Tiberius defeats Dalmatians on the river Bathinus. Year 1923 ( MCMXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Coolidge returned to Washington the next day, and was re-sworn by Justice A. A. Hoehling of the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia, as there was some confusion over whether a state notary public had the authority to administer the presidential oath. ^[85]

Finishing Harding's term

Coolidge signing the Immigration Act and some appropriation bills. General John J. Pershing looks on. John Joseph "Black Jack" Pershing, GCB ( September 13, 1860 – July 15, 1948) was an officer in the United States Army

The nation did not know what to make of its new President; Coolidge had not stood out in the Harding administration and many had expected him to be replaced on the ballot in 1924. ^[86] He chose C. Bascom Slemp, a Virginia Congressman and experienced federal politician, as his secretary (a position equivalent to the modern White House Chief of Staff). Campbell Bascom Slemp ( September 4 1870 &ndash August 7 1943) was an American Republican politician and a six-time United States The Commonwealth of Virginia ( is an American state The White House Chief of Staff is the highest-ranking member of the Executive Office of the President of the United States and a senior aide to the President ^[87] Although many of Harding's cabinet appointees were scandal-tarred, Coolidge announced that he would not demand any of their resignations, believing that since the people had elected Harding, he should carry on Harding's presidency, at least until the next election. ^[87]

He addressed Congress when it reconvened on December 6, 1923, giving a speech that echoed many of Harding's themes, including immigration restriction and the need for the government to arbitrate the coal strikes then ongoing in Pennsylvania. Events 1060 - Béla I of Hungary is crowned king of Hungary 1240 - Mongol invasion of Rus: Kiev Year 1923 ( MCMXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The Immigration Act of 1924, or Johnson-Reed Act, including the National Origins Act, Asian Exclusion Act, (43 Statutes-at-Large 153 was a United The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania ( often colloquially referred to as PA (its abbreviation by natives and Northeasterners is a state located in the Northeastern ^[88] The Washington Naval Treaty was proclaimed just one month into Coolidge's term, and was generally well received in the country. The Washington Naval Treaty, also known as the Five-Power Treaty, limited the naval armaments of its five signatories the United States of America, the ^[87] In May 1924, the World War I veterans' Bonus Bill was passed over his veto. The Adjusted Service Certificate Law is a United States federal law passed in 1924 that granted Veterans of World War I "bonus" certificates the ^[89] Coolidge signed the Immigration Act later that year, though he appended a signing statement expressing his unhappiness with the bill's specific exclusion of Japanese immigrants. The Immigration Act of 1924, or Johnson-Reed Act, including the National Origins Act, Asian Exclusion Act, (43 Statutes-at-Large 153 was a United A signing statement is a written pronouncement issued by the President of the United States upon the signing of a bill into Law. The are the dominant Ethnic group of Japan. Worldwide approximately 130 million people are of Japanese descent of these approximately 127 million are residents of Japan ^[90] Just before the Republican Convention began, Coolidge signed into law the Revenue Act of 1924, which decreased personal income tax rates while increasing the estate tax, and creating a gift tax to reinforce the transfer tax system. The United States Revenue Act of 1924 ( (June 2 1924 also known as the Mellon tax bill cut federal Tax rates and established the U Estate tax and Death duty redirect here Inheritance tax, estate tax and death duty are the names given to various taxes which A gift tax is a Tax imposed on the gratuitous transfer of ownership of property ^[91]

1924 election

Main article: United States presidential election, 1924

Electoral votes by state, 1924. The United States presidential election of 1924 was won by incumbent President Calvin Coolidge, the Republican candidate

The Republican Convention was held from June 10–12, 1924 in Cleveland, Ohio; President Coolidge was nominated on the first ballot. The 1924 National Convention of the Republican Party of the United States was held in Cleveland Ohio at the Public Auditorium from 10 June to Cleveland is a City in the US state of Ohio and the County seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state ^[92] The convention nominated Frank Lowden of Illinois for Vice President on the second ballot, but he declined via telegram. Frank Orren Lowden ( January 26 1861 &ndash March 20 1943) was an American political figure. The State of Illinois ( roughly ill-i-NOY is a state of the United States of America, the 21st to be admitted to the Union. ^[93] Former Brigadier General Charles G. Dawes, who would win the Nobel Peace Prize in 1925, was nominated on the third ballot; he accepted. Charles Gates Dawes (August 27 1865 &ndash April 23 1951 was an American Banker and Politician who was the thirtieth Vice President of the United States The Nobel Peace Prize ( Swedish, Danish and Nobels fredspris is one of five Nobel Prizes Bequeathed by the Swedish industrialist and inventor ^[93]

John W. Davis

The Democrats held their convention a month later in New York City. The 1924 Democratic National Convention, also called the Klanbake, held at the Madison Square Garden in New York City from June The City of New York The convention soon deadlocked, and after 103 ballots, the delegates finally agreed on a compromise candidate, John W. Davis. John William Davis ( April 13 1873 &ndash March 24 1955) was an American politician, diplomat and lawyer Charles W. Bryan was nominated for Vice President. Charles Wayland Bryan ( February 10, 1867 March 4, 1945) was the younger brother of perennial U The Democrats' hopes were buoyed when Robert M. La Follette, Sr., a Republican Senator from Wisconsin, split from the party to form a new Progressive Party. Robert Marion La Follette Sr nicknamed "Fighting Bob" La Follette ( June 14, 1855 June 20, 1925) was an American Wisconsin ( or wɪˈskɑnsɨn (French Ouisconsin) is one of the fifty United States of America, located in the north central part of the United States The United States Progressive Party of 1924 was a continuation of the 1912 Progressive party with few changes in leadership at the state or local levels and keeping many of the same officers Many believed that the split in the Republican party, like the one in 1912, would allow a Democrat to win the Presidency. ^[94]

Shortly after the conventions Coolidge experienced a personal tragedy. Coolidge's younger son, Calvin, Jr. , developed a blister from playing tennis on the White House courts. See also Executive Office of the President of the United States The White House, formerly known as the Executive Mansion, is the Official residence The blister became infected, and Calvin, Jr. Bacteremia ( Bacteræmia in British English is the presence of bacteria in the Blood. died. After that Coolidge became even more withdrawn. He later said that "when he died, the power and glory of the Presidency went with him. "^[95] In spite of his sadness, Coolidge ran his conventional campaign; he never maligned his opponents (or even mentioned them by name) and delivered speeches on his theory of government, including several that were broadcast over radio. ^[96] It was easily the most subdued campaign since 1896, partly because the President was grieving for his son, but partly because Coolidge's style was naturally non-confrontational. ^[97] The other candidates campaigned in a more modern fashion, but despite the split in the Republican party, the results were very similar to those of 1920. Coolidge and Dawes won every state outside the South except for Wisconsin, La Follette's home state. Coolidge had a popular vote majority of 2. 5 million over his opponents' combined total. ^[98]

Domestic policy

Coolidge, reporters, and cameramen

During Coolidge's presidency the United States experienced the period of rapid economic growth known as the "Roaring Twenties. Roaring Twenties is a phrase used to describe the 1920s principally in North America, that emphasizes the period's social artistic and cultural dynamism " His economic policy has often been misquoted as "generally speaking, the business of the American people is business" (full quotation below, at left). Although some commentators have criticized Coolidge as a doctrinaire laissez-faire ideologue, historian Robert Sobel offers some context based on Coolidge's sense of federalism: "As Governor of Massachusetts, Coolidge supported wages and hours legislation, opposed child labor, imposed economic controls during World War I, favored safety measures in factories, and even worker representation on corporate boards. Laissez-faire ( pronunciation: French,; English,) is a French phrase literally meaning Let do (“allow to do” Robert Sobel ( February 19 1931 &ndash June 2, 1999) was an American professor of history at Hofstra University, and Political federalism is a Political philosophy in which a group of members are bound together (Latin foedus, covenant) with a governing Child labor is the employment of Children at regular and sustained labour World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All Did he support these measures while president? No, because in the 1920s, such matters were considered the responsibilities of state and local governments. "^[99]

Coolidge with his Vice President, Charles G. Dawes. The Vice President of the United States is the first person in the presidential line of succession, becoming the new President of the United States upon the death Charles Gates Dawes (August 27 1865 &ndash April 23 1951 was an American Banker and Politician who was the thirtieth Vice President of the United States

Coolidge's taxation policy, and that of his Secretary of the Treasury, Andrew Mellon, was that taxes should be lower and that fewer people should have to pay them. Andrew William Mellon ( March 24 1855 &mdash August 27 1937) was an American banker industrialist philanthropist art collector ^[101] The Congress concurred, and the tax burden on Americans was reduced in Coolidge's term. ^[101] In addition to these tax cuts, Coolidge proposed reductions in federal expenditures and retiring some of the federal debt. The United States total public debt, commonly called the national debt, or U ^[102] To that end, Coolidge declined to sign some of the spending that Congress approved. He vetoed the proposed McNary-Haugen Farm Relief Bill of 1926, designed to allow the federal government to purchase agricultural surpluses and sell them abroad at lowered prices. The McNary-Haugen Farm Relief Act was a proposed bill in the 1920s to limit agricultural sales within the United States and either store them or Export them Coolidge declared that agriculture must stand "on an independent business basis," and said that "government control cannot be divorced from political control. "^[103] He favored Herbert Hoover's proposal to modernize agriculture to create profits, instead of manipulating prices. Herbert Clark Hoover (August 10 1874 &ndash October 20 1964 was the thirty-first President of the United States (1929–1933 When Congress re-passed the McNary-Haugen bill in 1927, Coolidge vetoed it again. ^[104] "Farmers never have made much money," said Coolidge, the Vermont farmer's son, "I do not believe we can do much about it. "^[105]

Coolidge has often been criticized for his actions during the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927, the worst natural disaster to hit the Gulf Coast until Hurricane Katrina in 2005. This article is about the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 For the Mississippi Flood of 1993 see Great Flood of 1993. Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was the costliest hurricane, as well as one of the five deadliest in the history of the United States ^[106] Although he did eventually name Secretary Hoover to a commission in charge of flood relief, Coolidge's lack of interest in federal flood control has been much maligned. ^[106] Coolidge did not believe that personally visiting the region after the floods would accomplish anything, but would be seen only as political grandstanding, and he did not want to incur the federal spending that flood control would require. ^[107] Congress wanted a bill that would place the federal government completely in charge of flood mitigation; Coolidge wanted the property owners to bear much of the costs. ^[108] When Congress passed a compromise measure in 1928, Coolidge declined to take credit for it and signed the bill in private on May 15. Events 1252 - Pope Innocent IV issues the Papal bull Ad exstirpanda, which authorizes but also limits the ^[109]

Foreign policy

Coolidge's official White House portrait

While he was not an isolationist, Coolidge was reluctant to enter foreign alliances. See also Executive Office of the President of the United States The White House, formerly known as the Executive Mansion, is the Official residence ^[110] Coolidge saw the landslide Republican victory of 1920 as a rejection of the Wilsonian idea that the United States should join the League of Nations. Thomas Woodrow Wilson (December 28 1856—February 3 1924 was the twenty-eighth President of the United States. The League of Nations was an International organization founded as a result of the Treaty of Versailles in 1919–1920 ^[111] While not completely opposed to the idea, Coolidge believed the League, as then constituted, did not serve American interests, and he did not advocate membership in it. ^[111] He spoke in favor of the United States joining the Permanent Court of International Justice, provided that the nation would not be bound by advisory decisions. The Permanent Court of International Justice, sometimes called the World Court, was the international court of the League of Nations, established in 1922 ^[112] The Senate eventually approved joining the Court (with reservations) in 1926. A reservation in International law is a Caveat to a state's acceptance of a treaty ^[113] The League of Nations accepted the reservations, but suggested some modifications of their own. ^[114] The Senate failed to act; the United States never joined the World Court. ^[114]

Coolidge's best-known initiative was the Kellogg-Briand Pact of 1928, named for Coolidge's Secretary of State, Frank B. Kellogg, and French foreign minister Aristide Briand. The Kellogg-Briand Pact, also known as the Pact of Paris, after the city where it was signed on August 27, 1928, was an international treaty "providing Frank Billings Kellogg ( December 22, 1856 – December 21, 1937) was an American lawyer Politician and Statesman Aristide Briand (28 March 1862 – 7 March 1932 was a French statesman who served several terms as Prime Minister of France and won the Nobel Peace Prize The treaty, ratified in 1929, committed signatories including the U. S. , the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan to "renounce war, as an instrument of national policy in their relations with one another. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. Italy (Italia officially the Italian Republic, (Repubblica Italiana is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics. "^[115] The treaty did not actually achieve its intended result — the outlawry of war — but did provide the founding principle for international law after World War II. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including ^[116]

Coolidge continued the previous administration's policy not to recognize the Soviet Union. The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991 ^[117] He also continued the United States' support for the elected government of Mexico against the rebels there, lifting the arms embargo on that country. The United Mexican States ( or commonly Mexico (ˈmɛksɪkoʊ () is a federal constitutional Republic in North America. The Cristero War (also known as the Cristiada of 1926 to 1929 was an uprising and Counter-revolution against the Anti-Catholic Mexican government of the time set ^[118] He sent his close friend Dwight Morrow to Mexico as the American ambassador. Dwight Whitney Morrow ( January 11, 1873 – October 5, 1931) was an American businessman politician and diplomat The United States has maintained diplomatic relations with Mexico since 1823 when Andrew Jackson was appointed Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to ^[119] Coolidge represented the U. S. at the Pan American Conference in Havana, Cuba, making him the only sitting U. Havana ( IPA: aˈβana officially Ciudad de La Habana, is the Capital city, major port and leading The Republic of Cuba (ˈkjuːbə or) consists of the island of Cuba (the largest and second-most populous island of the Greater Antilles) Isla de la S. President to visit the country. The United States' occupation of Nicaragua and Haiti continued under his administration, but Coolidge withdrew American troops from the Dominican Republic in 1924. The United States occupied Nicaragua from 1912-1933 and intervened in the country several times before that The first United States occupation of Haiti began on July 28 1915 and ended in mid-August 1934 The Dominican Republic occupies the eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antilles. ^[120]

1928 Election

Main article: United States presidential election, 1928

President Coolidge signed a bill granting Native Americans full U. The United States presidential election of 1928 pitted Republican Herbert Hoover against Democrat Al Smith. The Indian Citizenship Act of 1924 also known as the Snyder Act, was proposed by Representative Homer P S. citizenship. Coolidge is shown above on October 22, 1924 holding a ceremonial hat. Events 202 BC - Hannibal Barca, leader of the Carthaginians, is defeated by the Roman legions under Scipio Africanus Year 1924 ( MCMXXIV) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.

Coolidge did not seek renomination; he announced his decision to reporters, in writing, with typical terseness: "I do not choose to run for President in 1928. "^[121] After allowing them to take that in, Coolidge elaborated. "If I take another term, I will be in the White House till 1933 … Ten years in Washington is longer than any other man has had it—too long!"^[122] In his memoirs, Coolidge explained his decision not to run: "The Presidential office takes a heavy toll of those who occupy it and those who are dear to them. While we should not refuse to spend and be spent in the service of our country, it is hazardous to attempt what we feel is beyond our strength to accomplish. "^[123] After leaving office, he and Grace returned to Northampton, where he wrote his memoirs. The Republicans retained the White House in 1928 in the person of Coolidge's Secretary of Commerce, Herbert Hoover. The United States Secretary of Commerce is the head of the United States Department of Commerce concerned with business and industry the Department states its mission to Herbert Clark Hoover (August 10 1874 &ndash October 20 1964 was the thirty-first President of the United States (1929–1933

Coolidge had been lukewarm on the choice of Hoover as his successor; on one occasion he remarked that "for six years that man has given me unsolicited advice—all of it bad. "^[124] Even so, Coolidge had no desire to split the party by publicly opposing the popular Commerce Secretary's nomination. ^[125] The delegates did consider nominating Vice President Charles Dawes to be Hoover's running mate, but the convention selected Senator Charles Curtis instead. Charles Curtis (January 25 1860 – February 8 1936 was a Representative and a Senator from Kansas as well as the thirty-first Vice President of ^[126]

Radio and film

A 1938 definitive stamp

Despite his reputation as a quiet and even reclusive politician, Coolidge made use of the new medium of radio and made radio history several times while President. He made himself available to reporters, giving 529 press conferences, meeting with reporters more regularly than any President before or since. ^[127] His inauguration was the first presidential inauguration broadcast on radio. An inauguration is a ceremony of formal Investiture whereby an individual assumes an office or position of authority or power On 6 December 1923, Coolidge was the first President whose address to Congress was broadcast on radio. Events 1060 - Béla I of Hungary is crowned king of Hungary 1240 - Mongol invasion of Rus: Kiev Year 1923 ( MCMXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. ^[128] On 22 February 1924, he became the first President of the United States to deliver a political speech on radio. Events 1495 - King Charles VIII of France enters Naples to claim the city's throne Year 1924 ( MCMXXIV) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. ^[129] On 11 August 1924, Coolidge was filmed on the White House lawn by Lee De Forest in DeForest's Phonofilm sound-on-film process, becoming the first President to appear in a sound film. Events 2492 BC - Traditional date of the defeat of Bel by Hayk, progenitor and founder of the Armenian nation Year 1924 ( MCMXXIV) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Lee De Forest, ( August 26, 1873 – June 30, 1961) was an American Inventor with over 300 patents to his credit In 1919 Lee De Forest, inventor of the Audion tube, filed his first patent on a Sound-on-film process DeForest Phonofilm, which recorded sound directly Sound-on-film refers to a class of Sound film processes where the sound accompanying picture is physically recorded onto photographic film usually but not always the same The title of the DeForest film was President Coolidge, Taken on the White House Lawn. ^[130]

Coolidge was the only president to have his face on a coin during his lifetime, the sesquicentennial commemorative half dollar of 1926. After his death, he also appeared on a stamp.

Major presidential acts

• Signed Immigration Act of 1924
• Signed Revenue Act of 1924
• Signed Indian Citizenship Act of 1924
• Signed Judiciary Act of 1925
• Signed Revenue Act of 1926
• Signed Radio Act of 1927
• Signed Revenue Act of 1928

Cabinet

Coolidge's cabinet in 1924, outside the White House
Front row, left to right: Harry Stewart New, John W. Weeks, Charles Evans Hughes, Coolidge, Andrew Mellon, Harry M. Daugherty, Curtis D. Wilbur
Back row, left to right, James J. Davis, Henry C. Wallace, Herbert Hoover, Hubert Work

Supreme Court appointment

Chief Justice Harlan Fiske Stone

Coolidge appointed one Justice to the Supreme Court of the United States, Harlan Fiske Stone in 1925. The Immigration Act of 1924, or Johnson-Reed Act, including the National Origins Act, Asian Exclusion Act, (43 Statutes-at-Large 153 was a United The United States Revenue Act of 1924 ( (June 2 1924 also known as the Mellon tax bill cut federal Tax rates and established the U The Indian Citizenship Act of 1924 also known as the Snyder Act, was proposed by Representative Homer P The Judiciary Act of 1925 (43 Stat. 936 also known as the Certiorari Act, was an act of the United States Congress which sought to rationalize the workload The United States Revenue Act of 1926,, reduced inheritance and personal income Taxes cancelled many Excise imposts and ended public The Federal Radio Commission ( FRC) was a government body that regulated Radio use in the United States from its creation in 1927 until its replacement The Revenue Act of 1928 ( May 29, 1928, ch 852 45 Stat 791 formerly codified in part at 26 U See also Executive Office of the President of the United States The White House, formerly known as the Executive Mansion, is the Official residence Harry Stewart New ( December 31, 1858 &ndash May 9, 1937) was a U John Wingate Weeks ( April 11, 1860 &ndash July 12, 1926) was an American Politician in the Republican Party Charles Evans Hughes Sr ( April 11, 1862 – August 27, 1948) was a Lawyer and Republican politician from the State Andrew William Mellon ( March 24 1855 &mdash August 27 1937) was an American banker industrialist philanthropist art collector Harry Micajah Daugherty ( January 26, 1860 &ndash October 12, 1941) (daw- HER -tee was an American politician Curtis Dwight Wilbur ( May 10, 1867 &ndash September 8, 1954) was born in Boonesboro, Iowa. James John Davis ( October 27 1873 &ndash November 22 1947) was an American steel worker and Republican Party politician Henry Cantwell Wallace (1866&ndash1924 was a United States farm leader Herbert Clark Hoover (August 10 1874 &ndash October 20 1964 was the thirty-first President of the United States (1929–1933 Hubert Work ( July 3 1860 &ndash December 14 1942) was a US administrator and Physician. The President of the United States is the Head of state and Head of government of the United States and is the highest political official in United States by The Vice President of the United States is the first person in the presidential line of succession, becoming the new President of the United States upon the death Charles Gates Dawes (August 27 1865 &ndash April 23 1951 was an American Banker and Politician who was the thirtieth Vice President of the United States The United States Secretary of State (commonly abbreviated as SecState) is the head of the United States Department of State, concerned with Foreign affairs Charles Evans Hughes Sr ( April 11, 1862 – August 27, 1948) was a Lawyer and Republican politician from the State Frank Billings Kellogg ( December 22, 1856 – December 21, 1937) was an American lawyer Politician and Statesman The United States Secretary of the Treasury is the head of the United States Department of the Treasury, concerned with finance and monetary matters, and until Andrew William Mellon ( March 24 1855 &mdash August 27 1937) was an American banker industrialist philanthropist art collector The Secretary of War was a member of the United States President's Cabinet, beginning with George Washington 's administration John Wingate Weeks ( April 11, 1860 &ndash July 12, 1926) was an American Politician in the Republican Party Dwight Filley Davis ( July 5, 1879 &ndash November 28, 1945) was an American Tennis player and Politician. The United States Attorney General is the head of the United States Department of Justice (see) concerned with legal affairs and is the chief law enforcement Harry Micajah Daugherty ( January 26, 1860 &ndash October 12, 1941) (daw- HER -tee was an American politician Harlan Fiske Stone ( October 11 1872 – April 22 1946) was an American Lawyer and jurist. John Garibaldi Sargent ( October 13, 1860 &ndash March 5, 1939) was an American lawyer and statesman The United States Postmaster General is the executive head of the United States Postal Service. Harry Stewart New ( December 31, 1858 &ndash May 9, 1937) was a U The United States Secretary of the Navy ( SECNAV) is the Civilian head of the Department of the Navy. Edwin Denby ( February 18, 1870 &ndash February 8, 1929) was an American Lawyer and Politician who served as Curtis Dwight Wilbur ( May 10, 1867 &ndash September 8, 1954) was born in Boonesboro, Iowa. The United States Secretary of the Interior is the head of the United States Department of the Interior. Hubert Work ( July 3 1860 &ndash December 14 1942) was a US administrator and Physician. Roy Owen West ( October 27, 1868 &ndash November 29, 1958) a Chicagoan and graduate of DePauw University in 1890 was The United States Secretary of Agriculture is the head of the United States Department of Agriculture. Henry Cantwell Wallace (1866&ndash1924 was a United States farm leader Howard Mason Gore ( Harrison County, West Virginia, October 12, 1887 June 20, 1947) was the United States Secretary William Marion Jardine ( January 16 1879 – January 17 1955) was a U The United States Secretary of Commerce is the head of the United States Department of Commerce concerned with business and industry the Department states its mission to Herbert Clark Hoover (August 10 1874 &ndash October 20 1964 was the thirty-first President of the United States (1929–1933 William Fairfield Whiting (born in Holyoke, Massachusetts, on July 20, 1864, died August 31, 1936) was United "Secretary of Labor" redirects here See also Secretary of Labor (Mexico. James John Davis ( October 27 1873 &ndash November 22 1947) was an American steel worker and Republican Party politician The Chief Justice of the United States is the head of the judicial branch of the government of the United States, and presides over the U Harlan Fiske Stone ( October 11 1872 – April 22 1946) was an American Lawyer and jurist. The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest judicial body in the United States and leads the federal judiciary. Harlan Fiske Stone ( October 11 1872 – April 22 1946) was an American Lawyer and jurist. Stone was Coolidge's fellow Amherst alumnus and was serving as dean of Columbia Law School when Coolidge appointed him to be Attorney General in 1924. Columbia Law School, located in New York City, is one of the professional schools of Columbia University, a member of the Ivy League. He appointed Stone to the Supreme Court in 1925, and the Senate approved the nomination. ^[131] Stone was later appointed Chief Justice by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Retirement and death

After the presidency, Coolidge served as chairman of the non-partisan Railroad Commission, as honorary president of the Foundation of the Blind, as a director of New York Life Insurance Company, as president of the American Antiquarian Society, and as a trustee of Amherst College. The New York Life Insurance Company (NYLIC is the largest mutual life-insurance company in the United States, and one of the largest life insurers The American Antiquarian Society (AAS located in Worcester Massachusetts, is both a Learned society and national research library of pre-twentieth century ^[132] Coolidge received an honorary Doctor of Laws from Bates College in Lewiston, Maine. Doctor of Laws ( Latin: Legum Doctor, LLD) is a Doctorate -level Academic degree in Law. Bates College is a private liberal arts college located in Lewiston Maine, in the United States. Lewiston, in Androscoggin County, is the second-largest city in the U

Coolidge published his autobiography in 1929 and wrote a syndicated newspaper column, "Calvin Coolidge Says," from 1930–1931. An autobiography, from the Greek αὐτός autos "self" βίος bios "life" and γράφειν graphein "to write" ^[133] Faced with looming defeat in 1932, some Republicans spoke of rejecting Herbert Hoover as their party's nominee, and instead drafting Coolidge to run, but the former President made it clear that he was not interested in running again, and that he would publicly repudiate any effort to draft him, should it come about. ^[134] Hoover was renominated, and Coolidge made several radio addresses in support of him. ^[135]

Coolidge addressing a crowd at Arlington National Cemetery's Roman style Memorial Amphitheater in 1924. Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington Virginia, is a military cemetery in the United States, established during the American Civil War The Arlington Memorial Amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery, near the center of the Cemetery is the home of the Tomb of the Unknowns where Unknown American Servicemembers

He died suddenly of a heart attack at his home in Northampton, "The Beeches," at 12:45 p. Myocardial infarction ( MI or AMI for acute myocardial infarction) also known as a heart attack, occurs when the blood supply m. , January 5, 1933. Events 1477 - Battle of Nancy: Charles the Bold is killed and Burgundy becomes part of France. Year 1933 ( MCMXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. ^[136] Shortly before his death, Coolidge confided to an old friend: "I feel I am no longer fit in these times. "^[137]

Coolidge is buried beneath a simple headstone in Notch Cemetery, Plymouth Notch, Vermont, where the family homestead is maintained as a museum. Plymouth Notch is a small unincorporated village in the town of Plymouth, Windsor County, Vermont, United States. The State of Vermont dedicated a new visitors' center nearby to mark Coolidge's 100th birthday on July 4, 1972. Events 836 - Pactum Sicardi, peace between the Principality of Benevento and the Duchy of Naples Year 1972 ( MCMLXXII) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. ^[138] Calvin Coolidge's Brave Little State of Vermont speech is memorialized in the Hall of Inscriptions at the Vermont State House at Montpelier, Vermont. The Brave Little State of Vermont speech is a name given to remarks delivered by Vermont native and U The Vermont State House, located in Montpelier Vermont, is the capitol and seat of Vermont General Assembly.

Film

Notes

References

Primary sources

• Coolidge, Calvin. Have faith in Massachusetts; a collection of speeches and messages
• Coolidge, Calvin. The Autobiography of Calvin Coolidge (1929), ISBN 0944951031.
• The Talkative President: The Off-the Record Press Conferences of Calvin Coolidge edited by Howard H. Quint and Robert H. Ferrell (1964)

Scholarly sources

• Barry, John M. , Rising Tide: The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 and How It Changed America (1997), ISBN 0684840022.
• Brandes, Joseph, Herbert Hoover and Economic Diplomacy. (1962)
• Ferrell, Robert H. , The Presidency of Calvin Coolidge (1998), ISBN 0700608923.
• Fuess, Claude M. , Calvin Coolidge: The Man from Vermont (1940), ISBN 0837193206.
• Greenberg, David, Calvin Coolidge, The American Presidents Series, (2006), ISBN 0805069577.
• Hannaford, Peter, The Quotable Calvin Coolidge (2001), ISBN 1884592333.
• McCoy, Donald, Calvin Coolidge: The Quiet President (1967), ISBN 0945707231.
• Russell, Francis, A City in Terror: Calvin Coolidge and the 1919 Boston Police Strike (1975), ISBN 0807050334.
• Silver, Thomas B. , Coolidge and the Historians (1983), ISBN 0890890382.
• Sobel, Robert, Coolidge: An American Enigma (1998), ISBN 0895264102. Robert Sobel ( February 19 1931 &ndash June 2, 1999) was an American professor of history at Hofstra University, and
• White, William Allen, A Puritan in Babylon: The Story of Calvin Coolidge (1938), ASIN B000O16342. William Allen White (February 10 1868 &ndash January 31 1944 was a renowned American Newspaper editor, politician and author The Amazon Standard Identification Number ( ASIN) is a unique identification number assigned by Amazon
• Wilson, Joan Hoff, Herbert Hoover, Forgotten Progressive (1975), ISBN 0316944165.

Other

An academic conference on Coolidge was held July 30–31, 1998, at the John F. Kennedy Library to mark the 75th anniversary of his lantern-light homestead inaugural. The John F Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum is the Presidential library and Museum of the 35th President of the United States, John F

See also

• Coolidge, Arizona
• Coolidge Dam
• The Coolidge Effect
• The SS President Coolidge

External links

• Extensive essay on Calvin Coolidge and shorter essays on each member of his cabinet and First Lady from the Miller Center of Public Affairs
• Calvin Coolidge birthplace, a Vermont State Historic Site
• Official White House biography
• Audio clips of Coolidge's speeches
• Calvin Coolidge Memorial Foundation
• Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library & Museum at Forbes Library, Northampton, MA
• Calvin Coolidge official Commonwealth of Massachusetts Governor Biography
• Prosperity and Thrift: The Coolidge Era at the Library of Congress
• Works by Calvin Coolidge at Project Gutenberg