Herbert Hoover

Herbert Hoover was born on August 10, 1874, in Iowa, USA.

Herbert Hoover enrolled at Stanford University when it opened in 1891, and graduated as a mining engineer.

Herbert and Lou Henry are pictured with Lou's sister and parents on their wedding day.

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.

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.

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.

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 June 15, 1929, President Hoover signed the Farm Relief bill, aiming to provide assistance to the agricultural sector during a challenging economic period.

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.

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 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.

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.