10 fun and interesting Herbert Hoover facts

1. Herbert Clark Hoover, the 31st President of the United States

Herbert Clark Hoover, the 31st President of the United States, was born on August 10th, 1874 in West Branch, Iowa. He lived a long and prosperous life, passing away on October 20th, 1964 in New York City. During his lifetime, Hoover was a successful businessman, engineer, and humanitarian, as well as a politician. He was the first president to be born west of the Mississippi River, and his legacy lives on today in the form of the Hoover Dam, the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, and the Herbert Hoover National Historic Site.

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2. Humanitarian & U.S. Food Admin Head

Herbert Hoover was a renowned humanitarian who served as the head of the U.S Food Administration before and during the First World War. His work in providing aid to the war-ravaged nation of Belgium was widely recognized and praised both in America and around the world. His efforts to provide food and other essential supplies to the people of Belgium during the war earned him a reputation as a compassionate leader and humanitarian.

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3. Herbert Hoover's Legacy of Economic Modernization

Herbert Hoover served as the Secretary of Commerce of the United States in the 1920s, during which time he championed the idea of 'economic modernization' through the formation of partnerships between the government and various industries. His vision was to create a more efficient and productive economy, and he worked to ensure that the government and businesses worked together to achieve this goal. He was successful in his efforts, and his legacy of economic modernization continues to shape the American economy today.

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4. No Prior Experience, No Problem!

In 1928, Herbert Hoover achieved the remarkable feat of winning the Republican nomination for President despite having no prior experience as an elected government official. His success was a testament to his impressive credentials as a businessman and public servant, having served as Secretary of Commerce under Presidents Harding and Coolidge and having overseen the massive relief effort in Europe following World War I. His victory in the nomination process was a sign of the confidence the Republican Party had in his ability to lead the nation.

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5. Hoover: Elected Without a Military Rank

Herbert Hoover is one of only two Presidents of the United States to have been elected without having a high military rank or any prior electoral experience. The other President to have achieved this feat was William Howard Taft, who served from 1909 to 1913. Hoover, who served from 1929 to 1933, was a businessman and engineer before entering politics, and was the first President to be born west of the Mississippi River. His election was a testament to his political acumen and the trust the American people had in him.

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6. Two Presidents Who Gave Salaries to Charity

Herbert Hoover was a true philanthropist, becoming the first President to donate his entire salary to charity. His generous act of kindness was followed by President Kennedy, who also donated all of his paychecks to various charitable trusts. This selfless act of giving back to the community is a testament to the legacy of these two great Presidents.

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7. Herbert Hoover's Failed Response to the Wall Street Crash

Just 8 months after Herbert Hoover was elected President of the United States, the Wall Street crash of 1929 occurred, plunging the nation into a deep economic depression. In response, Hoover implemented a number of measures to try and combat the crisis, including the introduction of the Smoot-Hawley Tariff, the construction of the Hoover Dam, and an increase in both the Corporate Tax and the top Tax Bracket. Despite these efforts, the depression continued to worsen, and Hoover's reputation suffered as a result.

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8. Herbert Hoover's Attempts to Avert the Great Depression

Herbert Hoover's attempts to alleviate the economic depression of the 1930s were not immediately successful, but they provided a foundation for the New Deal policies implemented by Franklin D. Roosevelt. These measures included the establishment of the Social Security system, the creation of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the implementation of the National Industrial Recovery Act. Although Hoover's efforts did not have an immediate impact, they laid the groundwork for the New Deal, which ultimately helped to bring the country out of the Great Depression.

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9. Hoover's 1932 Defeat: Economic Woes & Prohibition

Herbert Hoover's defeat in the 1932 election was largely attributed to his inability to halt the economic downturn and his support for the enforcement of prohibition. Historians believe that the Great Depression, which had begun in 1929, was a major factor in his loss, as the public had grown increasingly frustrated with Hoover's lack of action to address the economic crisis. Additionally, his support for the enforcement of prohibition, which had become increasingly unpopular, further damaged his chances of re-election.

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10. Herbert Hoover Ranked as an Average President by C-SPAN

Herbert Hoover is ranked as an average President amongst the 44 Presidents of the United States. According to a survey conducted by C-SPAN in 2017, Hoover was ranked at number 22 out of the 44 Presidents, with an overall score of 59.2 out of 100. This score was based on 10 different categories, including public persuasion, crisis leadership, economic management, and moral authority. Although Hoover was not one of the most successful Presidents, he is remembered for his efforts to alleviate the suffering caused by the Great Depression.