Welcome to Part Twenty-Eight! It’s time for the president whose inauguration was the first to be broadcast on radio, the man who owned a raccoon. Let’s dive into the administration of Calvin Coolidge:
Becomes president- 2nd August 1923
Calvin Coolidge became president on this day. This was a fact unknown to him at the time. He was staying at his father’s homestead in Plymouth Notch, Vermont. As the home had no telephone line or electricity, a messenger had to be dispatched to personally inform Coolidge of this life-changing news.
Extraordinary inauguration- 3rd August 1923
Coolidge was inaugurated in the sixth extraordinary inauguration on this day. Having been told in the middle of the night about his boss Warren G. Harding’s death, he dressed and headed downstairs. Alongside his wife and several dignitaries, Coolidge was sworn in by his father, a public notary, by lamplight. He then returned to bed. Coolidge also released a short statement.
Secret second oath of office- 21st August 1923
Whilst Coolidge’s father had sworn his son in, he was a state official, and there was uncertainty as to whether it was valid. Therefore, Coolidge was secretly sworn in at the Willard Hotel in DC by Justice Adolph A. Hoehling Jr. of the DC District Court. This was not revealed until nearly a decade later.
Senate hearings on Teapot Dome begin- 23rd October 1923
Senate hearings on the Teapot Dome scandal, as discussed in the Harding edition, began.
Signs joint resolution on Teapot Dome charges- 8th February 1924
Coolidge signed a joint resolution on this day. This saw Albert Fall and Edwin Denby be charged with fraud and corruption.
First live radio broadcast from the White House- 22nd February 1924
The first live radio broadcast from the White House happened on this day. Radio would be an extremely important medium for presidents from this point on, particularly Franklin D. Roosevelt. The address was in honour of President Washington’s birthday.
Signs Immigration Act of 1924-26th May 1924
Coolidge signed the Immigration Act of 1924 on this day. A restrictive piece of legislation, it set up a quota system, in which no nationality could make up over 2% of those already in the United States. It totally barred Asian immigrants. The Immigration Act also created the US Border Force and the visa system.
Signs Indian Citizenship Act of 1924 and Revenue Act of 1924-2nd June 1924
Coolidge signed two major acts on this day. The Indian Citizenship Act made all Native Americans born within the country and its territories American citizens. The Revenue Act decreased the bottom tax rate by .25%.
Calvin Coolidge Jr. dies- 7th July 1924
Coolidge suffered a major personal blow on this day when his youngest son died. Calvin Jr. had been playing tennis with his brother when he got a blister. This blister developed into sepsis, and the sixteen year-old boy died. Coolidge buried himself in his work, but began displaying symptoms of depression, such as sleeping longer. Grace Coolidge began writing poetry to express her grief. Neither got over the loss.
Dawes Plan goes into effect- 1st September 1924
The Dawes Plan went into effect on this day. It set up a reparations payment plan for Germany. For his part, Charles G. Dawes won the Nobel Peace Prize.
Wins reelection- 4th November 1924
Coolidge won re-election in his own right on this day. He cruised to an easy victory alongside running mate Charles G. Dawes. This stems from the strong economy and his personal popularity. His Democratic rival was John W. Davis, with a strong third-party showing from Progressive Robert M. La Follette. La Follette won his home state of Wisconsin. Coolidge’s conservative ideology was given the rubber stamp of approval.
Mount Rushmore authorised- 3rd March 1925
Mount Rushmore was authorised on this day. The famed monument in South Dakota would take fourteen years to build, and would display the faces of Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Theodore Roosevely and Abraham Lincoln. Mount Rushmore was finished on the 31st October 1941. It remains one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country, though not without its controversy.
Second inauguration- 4th March 1925
Coolidge was sworn in for the second time on this day, though this was the first standard inauguration. He was sworn in on the East Portico of the Capitol by Chief Justice and former president William Howard Taft, who famously mixed-up the oath. It was a sunny day, 6C/44F. Despite being known for his silence, Coolidge had one of the longer inaugural addresses at 4,054 words. He made his ideology clear- ‘When we turn from what was rejected to inquire what was accepted, the policy that stands out with the greatest clearness is that of economy in public expenditure with reduction and reform of taxation.’ There was no inaugural ball.
Scopes Monkey Trial ends- 21st July 1925
The infamous Scopes Monkey Trial ended on this day. A teacher in the small town of Dayton, Tennessee taught evolution, something that was against the law. A trial ensued, bringing the masses to Dayton and the subject of religion v science into the public consciousness. The teacher, Mr. John Scopes was represented by the ACLU and Clarence Darrow. The prosecution was led by perennial presidential candidate William Jennings Bryan. Bryan was a devout Presbyterian and anti-evolution activist. Scopes was found guilty, but the conviction was soon overturned. Meanwhile, the once widely-respected Bryan became somewhat of a laughing stock. Bryan never regained favour, as he died suddenly only five days after the trial. The play and film Inherit the Wind portrays a fictionalised version of the events.
Signs Revenue Act of 1926- 26th February 1926
Coolidge signed the Revenue Act of 1926 on this day. It reduced inheritance and income taxes, and got rid of other forms. Wealthy Americans reaped the most benefits, but there were tax cuts across the board for all people.
Signs act creating the US Army Air Corps- 2nd July 1926
Coolidge signed an act creating the US Army Air Corps on this day. This placed the air force into the military, and stayed in place until it became the US Army Air Forces in 1941.
Myers v. United States is decided- 25th October 1926
Myers v. United States was decided on this day. In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court ruled that a president was allowed to remove cabinet members as part of their presidential power. This was a key ruling for the executive branch.
Signs Amended Organic Act of Puerto Rico- 4th March 1927
Coolidge signed the Amended Organic Act of Puerto Rico on this day. This opened up American citizenship for Puerto Rican citizens.
Great Mississippi Flood- 15th April 1927
The Great Mississippi Flood happened on this day. The most destructive river flood in United States history, it killed 500 people, misplaced tens of thousands and cost billions in damages. To spare the heavily populated New Orleans, levees were broken to flood less populated areas. Coolidge sent Secretary of Commerce Herbert Hoover to help, as he already had humanitarian aid experience. Hoover was widely lauded for his help, and cleared his path to the 1928 Republican nomination.
Charles Lindbergh completes the first solo nonstop transatlantic flight- 21st May 1927
Charles Lindbergh completed the first solo transatlantic nonstop flight on this day, in his famous Spirit of St. Louis plane. Lindbergh was given a hero’s welcome in Paris, was mobbed in London, was given a Distinguished Flying Cross in Washington D.C and received a ticker tape parade in New York City. He would be given the Medal of Honour in the White House later in the year and was Time’s first Man/Person of The Year. Lindbergh would later achieve infamy following the shocking kidnap and murder of his son, as discussed next time.
Announces that he won’t run for reelection- 2nd August 1927
Coolidge announced that he was not running for reelection on this day. In a characteristically succinct way, he handed the announcement out to press on strips of paper: ‘I do not choose to run for President in nineteen twenty-eight.’ As the 22nd Amendment had not yet been added to the Constitution, he could have run, but he chose not to. It’s believed that Coolidge felt that ten years as president was too long, but he could have also wanted to be drafted, return to private life or was simply depressed after his son’s death.
Mammoth Oil v United States is decided- 10th October 1927
Mammoth Oil v United States was decided on this day. In their decision, the Supreme Court ruled that the contracts Albert Fall had provided to Mammoth Oil in relation to Teapot Dome were through fraud. This would help set forth the conviction of Fall.
Signs Revenue Act of 1928-29th May 1928
Coolidge signed the Revenue Act of 1928 on this day. This reduced federal income tax to a ceiling of 12%.
Kellogg-Briand Pact signed- 27th August 1928
The Kellogg-Briand Pact was signed on this day. The agreement, signed by Germany, France and the US initially, promised to ‘outlaw war.’ Whilst admirable, the act largely failed, though it became the basis for war crimes trials following WW2.
- Leaves office- 4th March 1929
Calvin Coolidge handed the keys to the White House over to Herbert Hoover on this day. Coolidge lived a generally quiet life post-administration, chairing boards, writing his autobiography and a syndicated column. He did not enjoy a long post-presidency, however. On the 5th January 1933, Calvin Coolidge was found dead by his wife. He’d died suddenly of coronary thrombosis, aged sixty. Historians and the public differ greatly regarding his legacy. He’s rated very highly by libertarians and conservatives, but much lower by those on the left and those in favour of large government. Coolidge is favoured for his progressive views on race and personal integrity, but is sometimes blamed for policies some believe led to the Great Depression. He was one of the most personally popular presidents during his administration.
That’s it for Calvin Coolidge. Tune in next time for Herbert Hoover, in which we’ll see him deal with the Wall Street Crash, economic chaos and angry veterans.