Herbert Clark Hoover was born in West Branch, Iowa on August 10, 1874. He was the first President born in Iowa and the first President to be born west of the Mississippi. River.
Herbert Hoover was a Quaker.
In 1922, Hoover, then Commerce Secretary, participated in the first successful long-distance television demonstration in New York.
Herbert Hoover never promised a "chicken in every pot." It was a Republican Party ad not endorsed by Hoover during the election.
Since President Hoover was a Quaker he did not take an oath of office. He affirmed his presdency.
Herbert Hoover was the first president to have a telephone right on his desk.
Herbert Hoover required White House servants to be "invisible." Whenever he or the first lady appeared, the servants would jump into the nearest closet to avoid being seen.
President Herbert Hoover, Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, and Harvey Firestone at Edison's 82nd birthday. Ft. Myers, Florida, February 11, 1929.
Herbert Hoover Library.
(Click for larger image.)
President Hoover was one of two Presidents who did not accept a salary for being President. He donated his salary to charity.
He was the first President that was a millionaire.
Hoover Hover's Vice President was Charles Curtis (1929-1933).
He approved the "Star-Spangled Banner" as our national anthem.
When Hoover invited the black wife of a congressman to the White House for tea, he was officially denounced by the state legislature of Texas.
Charles Curtis, Hoover's vice president, was the only nonwhite person to be elected vice president of the U.S. He was a Kaw Indian.
When the Hoovers wanted to speak privately while in the presence of White House guests, they spoke Chinese.
His son had 2 pet alligators that would sometimes wander around the White House. He also had several dogs:
-an Irish Wolfhound named Patrick.
-Fox Terriers named Sonnie and Big Ben.
- Eskimo dog named Yukon
-Elkhound named Weejie
A common sign held up by hitchhikers during the fall of 1932 read: "If you don't give me a ride, I'll vote for Hoover."
Herbert Hoover was the last President to have his term of office end on March 3.
Herbert Hoover died in New York, New York on October 20, 1964. He was 90 years old.
Quotes from Herber Hoover:
It is just as important that business keep out of governmet at that government keep out of business.
Speech, October 22, 1928
Sources:
The Presidents of the United States. 22 September 2004 <http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/>
Davis, Gibbs and Ilus. David A. Johnson. Wackiest White House Pets. New York: Scholastic Press, October 2004
James, Barber and Amy Pastan. Smithsonian Presidents and First Ladies. New York: DK Publishing, 2002
Kane, Joseph Natan. Facts about the Presidents from Washington to Johnson. New York: H.W. Wilson Company, 1964.
