Herbert Hoover was the 31st president of the United States, serving from 1929 to 1933. He was known for his humanitarian efforts and service as the U.S. secretary of commerce. Despite criticism for his handling of the Great Depression, Hoover was praised for his work as a public official.
Herbert Hoover was born on August 10, 1874, in Iowa, USA.
In November 1885, Herbert Hoover left Iowa to move to Oregon and live with his maternal uncle, Henry Minthorn. He spent six years with the Minthorns and at the age of 14, he left school to work as a clerk in his uncle's real estate business.
Herbert Hoover enrolled at Stanford University when it opened in 1891, and graduated as a mining engineer.
In 1895, Herbert Hoover graduated from Stanford University, marking the completion of his education at the prestigious institution.
Herbert and Lou Henry are pictured with Lou's sister and parents on their wedding day.
In June 1900, Herbert Hoover and his wife were caught in the Boxer Rebellion in Tientsin, China. Hoover directed the building of barricades and risked his life rescuing Chinese children during the heavy fire.
A photograph captures Herbert Hoover and his son Herbert Jr. at a railway station in Cairo, Egypt around 1905.
In 1908, Hoover opened his own mining consulting business, which contributed to his financial security and played a significant role in establishing his reputation in the field of mining engineering.
The American Consul General asked Hoover's help in getting stranded tourists home. In six weeks his committee helped 120,000 Americans return to the United States.
Hoover turned to a far more difficult task, to feed Belgium, which had been overrun by the German army.
Herbert Hoover gained worldwide fame as the 'Great Humanitarian' for creating the U.S. Food Administration, an unprecedented organization that fed 10 million civilians in occupied Belgium for five years during World War I.
Allan, Herbert, Lou, and Herbert Jr. are about to board the S.S. Ryndam for the United States in 1917.
After the Armistice was signed in November 1918, President Wilson appointed Hoover to head the European Relief and Rehabilitation Administration, through which he channeled 34 million tons of American food, clothing and supplies to war-torn Europe.
Lou Henry Hoover was the wife of President Herbert Hoover. She was an accomplished woman, being the first woman to earn a degree in geology from Stanford University. She was also a humanitarian and advocate for women's rights.
Due to his humanitarian efforts, Hoover was widely admired in the United States and was considered as a candidate for President by both political parties in 1920.
After the Armistice, Herbert Hoover, as the head of the American Relief Administration, provided aid to famine-stricken Soviet Russia in 1921, despite political criticism. He emphasized the humanitarian aspect of the aid, stating that the priority was to feed the starving population.
In 1922, Herbert Hoover published a book titled American Individualism, in which he examined and advocated for the superiority of individualism as the principle around which to organize society. He rejected laissez-faire capitalism, socialism, and communism, seeking a balance between the Right and Left ideologies to create opportunities for Americans to succeed.
In 1924, Congress passed a bill to provide a bonus payment to World War I veterans, although the payment was scheduled for 1945.
In 1927, Herbert Hoover provided extraordinary service to assist the victims of the devastating Mississippi River Flood, which elevated his fame to new heights.
Secretary of Commerce Herbert Hoover, Lou Hoover, son Herbert Hoover Jr., his wife Margaret, and son Allan pose for a photograph in front of their Washington DC home after Hoover had just been nominated to run for president on the Republican ticket.
The Hoover family, including Allan, Herbert, Lou, and Herbert Jr., visit the birthplace of Herbert Hoover in West Branch, IA.
On November 6, 1928, Herbert Hoover was elected as the 31st President of the United States. This event marked the beginning of his presidency and his leadership during a critical period in American history.
Herbert Hoover won the presidential election by defeating Alfred Smith, securing 83.6% of the Electoral College and 58.2% of the popular vote.
President-elect Herbert Hoover and his wife Lou are pictured on board a ship during their South American tour.
Herbert Hoover served as the 31st president of the United States from March 4, 1929, to March 4, 1933. He faced challenges during his presidency, particularly in addressing widespread joblessness, homelessness, and hunger during the early years of the Great Depression.
On March 5, 1929, the President held a news conference to address various issues and provide updates to the public.
On March 6, 1929, the President acknowledged messages congratulating him on his inauguration, showing gratitude for the support received.
On March 7, 1929, Proclamation 1870 was issued, requesting an extra session of Congress to address agricultural relief and tariff changes, reflecting the administration's focus on economic policies.
On March 8, 1929, the President held a news conference to address various issues and provide updates on the government's activities.
On March 12, 1929, an executive order was issued to establish Lincoln, Nebraska as a customs port of entry, impacting trade and customs operations in the region.
The speaker emphasized the importance of officials enforcing laws and citizens supporting them to maintain the self-government system. Also, highlighted the level of comfort and security achieved in the world's history.
On March 23, 1929, the President held a news conference to address various issues and provide updates to the public.
In 1929, President Hoover appointed Henry L. Stimson as the Secretary of State. Stimson's appointment to this key position in the U.S. government marked an important event in the political landscape of the time.
On an unspecified date, the President held a news conference to address various matters of national importance.
An executive order was issued to make Internal Revenue Service refunds or credits over $20,000 open to public inspection.
A message was delivered to the Special Session of Congress regarding Farm Relief and the Tariff.
A letter was sent to Senator McNary along with critiques from the Secretaries of Treasury and Agriculture regarding a plan for providing export subsidies to farmers.
On June 15, 1929, President Hoover signed the Farm Relief bill, aiming to provide assistance to the agricultural sector during a challenging economic period.
On June 18, 1929, President signs an act reforming the conduct of the census and providing for an apportionment among the states of the number of Representatives. The reporting of the total population and the number of Representatives per state is assigned to the President.
On June 24, 1929, President announces the suspension of construction of three naval cruisers in the interest of promoting international naval limits.
The Wall Street Crash of 1929, also known as Black Tuesday, was a devastating stock market crash that marked the beginning of the Great Depression.
The President expresses his commitment to pursuing peace and suggests that food ships should have the same protected status as hospital ships during wartime to reject starvation as a weapon of warfare.
The President delivered the First Annual State of the Union Message, emphasizing the implementation of voluntary measures to ensure the continuity of fundamental businesses and to prevent reduction in wages and consuming power.
Secretary of State Frank B. Kellogg was awarded the 1929 Nobel Peace Prize for his involvement in the Briand-Kellogg Pact of 1928, which aimed to prohibit wars of aggression.
The Revenue Act of 1928, aimed at reducing tax rates on individuals and corporations, was signed into law.
On January 1, 1930, President Hoover hosted a New Year's Day reception at the White House, a traditional event to greet and meet the public and dignitaries.
Charles Evans Hughes, who previously served as Secretary of State, was appointed as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court by President Hoover, succeeding William Howard Taft.
On April 14, 1930, President Hoover participated in the opening game of the season between the Boston Red Sox and the Washington Senators by throwing out the first ball, a ceremonial event symbolizing the start of the baseball season.
President Hoover vetoed the Spanish War Veterans’ Pension Bill, which aimed to provide pensions or bonuses to Spanish War soldiers, sailors, and nurses. His decision was heavily criticized, and the veto was later overridden by Congress.
President signed the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930, which raised tariffs on imported goods, contributing to the global depression by prompting other countries to retaliate.
Against the advice of many economists, President Hoover signs the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act, which imposes high tariffs on numerous imports. Instead of resolving the economic downturn, the act prompts other countries to raise their tariffs as well, leading to a worsening of the international depression and nationalist tensions.
President vetoed the World War I Veterans’ Pension Bill, and the veto was sustained in the House.
The President rejects calls for a special session of Congress on unemployment, expressing confidence in the spirit of voluntary service to address the challenge.
The Republicans lost 52 seats in the House and the Democrats emerged with a 1-seat House majority. In the Senate, the Republicans lost 8 seats but still ended up with a bare majority.
The President requests emergency appropriations for public works from Congress.
President addresses the White House Conference on Child Health and Protection, which had 3,000 participants and led to the creation of the American Pediatric Society.
President requests funding for a significant public works program during the Second Annual State of the Union Message.
President transmits protocols to the Senate regarding the United States’ Adherence to the Permanent Court of International Justice and urges approval despite contrary advice from Republican members.
On December 20, 1930, President Hoover signed a bill aimed at addressing unemployment, while also marking the first photo taken of him in the White House and the first telephone placed on the president's desk.
The White House Conference on Child Health and Protection led to the creation of the American Pediatric Society.
Congress passes the Bonus Loan Bill over Hoover's veto, allowing veterans to obtain cash loans of up to 50 percent of their bonus certificates issued in 1924.
President Hoover opposes the Government entering into any business that competes with the citizens, leading to the Senate sustaining the veto.
President Hoover signs the Act (46 Stat 1508) which designates the Star Spangled Banner as the national anthem of the United States of America.
President Hoover travels to Porto Rico and the Virgin Islands, marking his only Presidential travel outside the continental U.S.
President Hoover travels to Porto Rico and the Virgin Islands, marking his only Presidential travel outside the continental U.S.
In 1931, President Hoover proposed a one-year moratorium on debt payments owed to America in an attempt to alleviate the global depression. Despite being passed by Congress in December, the policy had minimal impact on the economic crisis.
During the Third Annual State of the Union Message, Hoover proposed the establishment of an agency to provide emergency financing to banks.
Hoover addressed United States Foreign Relations in more detail as promised in the State of the Union Message. He expressed deep concern over the situation in Manchuria and reiterated support for the Permanent Court of International Justice.
President Hoover establishes the Reconstruction Finance Corporation, an agency designed to lend money to banks, insurance companies, and other institutions to stimulate the economy. It will have $2 billion at its disposal.
The President delivered a message to Congress advocating for significant reductions in Federal government expenditures and the establishment of a special joint Legislative/Executive Committee to develop a comprehensive national program of economy. However, Congress did not take action on this proposal.
The White House issued a statement proposing legislation for a mandatory half-day unpaid furlough for government employees to achieve a five-day work week. This proposal was later enacted into legislation on 06/30/1932.
The President signed the Interior Department Appropriations Act, which sought authorization for limited flexible transfer of funds between departments.
The Bonus Army, also known as the Bonus Expeditionary Force, began to arrive in Washington DC, coinciding with Memorial Day observances.
The Emergency Relief and Construction Act of 1932 was signed into law, providing federal relief loans to the states and initiating new public works construction. It is considered the first large-scale federal public welfare program in American history.
President Herbert Hoover ordered the United States Army to remove a group of protesting veterans from federal buildings in Washington, D.C. The aggressive removal of the Bonus Army marchers damaged Hoover's popularity as he began a difficult reelection campaign.
President Hoover ordered the dispersal of the Bonus Army, led by General Douglas MacArthur, using force. This action was taken after District police were overwhelmed by an organized attack by several thousand men.
Herbert Hoover delivered a formal response to his renomination in front of a large audience at Constitution Hall, which was nationally broadcast by radio.
Herbert Hoover addressed the conference, urging coordination with existing government programs and a better distribution of credit. The conference took place at the Commerce Department from August 26 to August 28, 1932.
Herbert Hoover made a statement regarding the Justice Department's investigation of the Bonus Army, acknowledging that while most who came to Washington were honest and law-abiding, there were also criminal, Communist, and nonveteran elements amongst the marchers.
President Hoover creates the Grand Canyon National Monument south of the Grand Canyon National Park through a proclamation.
President Hoover vetoes a bill granting independence to the Philippine Islands, which is later overridden by a two-thirds majority vote in Congress on 01/17/1933.
President Hoover vetoes the Deficiency Appropriation Bill, stating that it is unconstitutional for legislation to provide individual tax refunds. The veto was sustained.
The 20th Amendment is declared to be adopted, changing the date a President takes office and addressing the circumstances of the death of a President elect.
On February 25, 1933, a resolution was signed authorizing the Comptroller of Currency to exercise authority over national banks equal to the powers of State banking regulators.
On March 3, 1933, Herbert Hoover held a final news conference, bidding farewell to the nation.
Defeated and embittered, Herbert Hoover left the White House on March 4, 1933, after an unsuccessful attempt to gain Roosevelt’s commitment to sustaining his policies.
On November 13, 1933, President Hoover and his wife Lou were seen at the University of Southern California vs. Stanford football game at the Los Angeles Coliseum. This public appearance showcased the President's interest in sports.
Hoover condemned what he regarded as the radicalism of the New Deal and argued against it in his book The Challenge to Liberty, published in 1934.
In late May 1945, only six weeks after Roosevelt’s death, Herbert Hoover met with President Harry Truman to plan for the recovery of postwar Europe and provide a personal assessment of world food needs.
In 1947, Herbert Hoover and President Truman joined forces on a commission to reorganize the executive branch of the federal government, leading to a more efficient post–war government.
In 1953, President Eisenhower appointed Herbert Hoover as chairman of a similar commission, which also resulted in significant economies from the commission's recommendations.
Herbert Hoover's work 'The Ordeal of Woodrow Wilson' was published in 1958.
On August 10, 1962, Herbert Hoover made his last visit to Iowa to dedicate the Presidential library near the site of his birthplace. He insisted on a modest building in accordance with the scale of the community.
Herbert Hoover's work 'Fishing for Fun' was published in 1963.
Herbert Hoover passed away at the age of 90 in New York City on October 20, 1964. Throughout his life, he wrote numerous articles and books, one of which he was working on at the time of his death.
Herbert Hoover, the 31st President of the United States, passed away on October 29, 1964.