Herbert Hoover

Herbert Hoover was born on August 10, 1874, in West Branch, Iowa, USA. He was the son of Jesse Hoover, a blacksmith, and Hulda Randall Minthorn, a schoolteacher. Hoover would later become the 31st president of the United States. His early years were marked by tragedy; both of his parents died when he was young, leading to his being raised by relatives in Oregon.

Herbert Hoover graduated from Stanford University on June 16, 1895, receiving a degree in geology. He was part of the inaugural class of the university, which opened in 1891. During his time at Stanford, Hoover was involved in various activities, including managing the school's baseball and football teams. His education at Stanford paved the way for his career in mining engineering.

During World War I, on April 6, 1917, Herbert Hoover was appointed head of the U.S. Food Administration by President Woodrow Wilson. Hoover's leadership helped organize American food resources, promote conservation efforts, and stabilize food prices. His efforts in this role earned him a reputation as an efficient and effective administrator and made him a national figure.

Herbert Hoover was elected as the 31st President of the United States on November 6, 1928. A Republican, Hoover ran against the Democratic candidate, Al Smith. Hoover's campaign promised to bring continued prosperity to the nation. This election followed a period when Hoover was widely admired for his role in managing post-World War I relief efforts in Europe and as the Secretary of Commerce.

On October 29, 1929, also known as Black Tuesday, the stock market on Wall Street crashed, marking the beginning of the Great Depression. Herbert Hoover was the president at the time. The economic downturn had devastating effects on the economy, leading to widespread unemployment and poverty. Hoover's policies were criticized for failing to provide direct relief to struggling Americans, and his reputation suffered as a result.

President Herbert Hoover signed the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act on July 21, 1930, which raised U.S. tariffs on over 20,000 imported goods. The act was intended to protect American industries but is often criticized for worsening the Great Depression by reducing international trade and increasing tensions between countries. Despite advice from many economists to veto the bill, Hoover signed it into law, which added to the economic difficulties of the time.

In the summer of 1932, thousands of World War I veterans, known as the Bonus Army, marched on Washington, D.C., demanding early payment of a bonus promised to them. President Herbert Hoover ordered the U.S. Army to remove the protesters from federal property. On July 28, 1932, the situation turned violent as troops used force to evict the veterans, including using tear gas and burning their camps, a move that further damaged Hoover's public image.

Herbert Hoover's presidency came to an end on March 4, 1933, when Franklin D. Roosevelt was inaugurated as the 32nd president of the United States. Hoover's term was overshadowed by the Great Depression, and his policies to combat the economic crisis were seen as inadequate by many. His successor, Roosevelt, ushered in the New Deal, a series of programs and reforms aimed at reviving the economy and providing relief to Americans.

On March 5, 1947, former President Harry S. Truman appointed Herbert Hoover to the Commission on Organization of the Executive Branch of the Government, commonly known as the Hoover Commission, which was charged with recommending administrative changes in the federal government. Hoover led the commission twice, first under Truman and later under President Dwight D. Eisenhower, helping to improve government efficiency and operations.

Herbert Hoover, the 31st president of the United States, passed away on October 20, 1964, in New York City at the age of 90. Hoover's post-presidency years were spent engaged in public service and writing. Despite his failures during the Great Depression, he was seen as a skilled administrator and humanitarian. His death marked the end of a long life devoted to public service and international humanitarian efforts.