Early Life

John Calvin Coolidge was born on July 4, 1872, in Plymouth Notch, Vermont. His father, John Calvin Coolidge Sr., was a general store owner who also held many local and national offices. His mother, Victoria Josephine Coolidge, died when Calvin was young. While Calvin helped run the family store, his dream was to enter politics, not business. He carried his father’s interest in public service with him into college.

Political Beginnings

Coolidge attended Amherst College, where he joined the Republican Club and quickly became a respected figure. After graduating in 1895, he studied law and passed the bar exam in 1897. Coolidge opened his own practice and began participating in local Republican politics, building a strong reputation in his community.

Governor of Massachusetts

Coolidge’s political career advanced quickly. Starting with his election to the city council in 1900, he went on to win several local offices before becoming governor of Massachusetts. As governor, he gained national attention by putting down a large strike, which positioned him for the 1920 presidential election.

Sworn in by his Father

At the 1920 Republican National Convention, Coolidge was selected as Warren G. Harding’s running mate. The Harding-Coolidge ticket won the election. Harding’s presidency was plagued by scandals, such as the Teapot Dome Scandal. When Harding died of a heart attack on August 2, 1923, Calvin Coolidge was sworn in as president by his own father—the only president in history sworn in by his father.

The Roaring Twenties

As president, Coolidge restored integrity to the White House and became known as "Silent Cal" for his quiet personality and dry humor. His presidency was marked by economic prosperity during the Roaring Twenties. He supported small government and tax cuts and saw the ratification of the 19th Amendment. By 1924, however, he appeared exhausted after the death of his son, and the Republican Party did not choose him to run again. After leaving office, Coolidge admitted he avoided addressing major problems and believed he could have done more to prevent the Great Depression.

Most Well-Known Quote

"The chief business of the American people is business."

Discussion Questions

1. How did Calvin Coolidge’s upbringing and family influence his interest in politics?
2. Why was the Boston Police Strike significant in shaping Coolidge’s national reputation?
3. What leadership qualities earned Coolidge the nickname "Silent Cal"?
4. How might Coolidge’s limited government philosophy have contributed to both successes and challenges during his presidency?

Glossary

• Bar Exam – A test that law graduates must pass to practice law.
• Ratified – Formally approved and made official, usually referring to laws or amendments.
• Teapot Dome Scandal – A major political scandal involving oil reserves and government corruption during Harding’s presidency.
• Roaring Twenties – A period of economic growth, cultural change, and social progress in the 1920s.

Interesting Facts

1. Calvin Coolidge is the only U.S. president born on Independence Day, July 4.
2. He was the only president ever sworn in by his own father.
3. Coolidge earned the nickname "Silent Cal" because he rarely spoke in public and was known for his short, witty replies.
4. He kept a pet raccoon named Rebecca at the White House.
5. Coolidge took responsibility for avoiding tough economic issues before the Great Depression.

Timeline of Calvin Coolidge’s Life

• 1872 – Born in Plymouth Notch, Vermont, on July 4.
• 1895 – Graduated from Amherst College.
• 1897 – Passed the bar exam and began practicing law.
• 1900 – Elected to city council, beginning his political career.
• 1918 – Elected governor of Massachusetts.
• 1919 – Gained national fame during the Boston Police Strike.
• 1920 – Elected vice president of the United States under Warren Harding.
• 1923 – Sworn in as president after Harding’s death.
• 1924 – Declined to run for reelection after his son’s death.
• 1929 – Left office as the Great Depression began.
• 1933 – Died in Northampton, Massachusetts.