Calvin Coolidge

Calvin Coolidge was an American political leader who became the 30th President of the United States. He was born on 4 July 1872 in Plymouth Notch, Vermont. He is one of the few presidents born on Independence Day. Coolidge served as president from 1923 to 1929, during a time when the United States was changing quickly after World War I.

Coolidge grew up in a small rural community. His father was a store owner and local official. Coolidge studied law and became a lawyer. A lawyer is a person trained to understand and apply the law. He entered politics and served in local and state offices in Massachusetts. Over time, he became governor of Massachusetts.

In 1920, Coolidge was elected Vice President of the United States. The vice president is the second-highest office in the country. In August 1923, President Warren G. Harding died suddenly. As vice president, Coolidge became president. He took the oath of office at night in his family home, with his father administering the oath.

As president, Coolidge supported limited government. This means he believed the federal government should have a smaller role in daily life and business. During his presidency, the United States experienced economic growth. Many factories produced goods such as cars and radios. This period is often called the Roaring Twenties, which refers to rapid social and economic change.

Coolidge signed laws that reduced taxes and limited government spending. He believed these actions supported economic stability. He also supported policies that favored business development. At the same time, some farmers faced difficulties because crop prices were low. These problems showed that not all parts of the economy grew at the same pace.

Calvin Coolidge chose not to run for another term in 1928. He left office in 1929 and returned to private life. He spent his later years writing and speaking occasionally. Coolidge died on 5 January 1933 in Northampton, Massachusetts. His presidency ended shortly before the Great Depression, a severe economic downturn that began in 1929.