🇺🇸 Calvin Coolidge Biography for Students the 30th President

🧭 Introduction

Calvin Coolidge was the 30th President of the United States, serving from 1923 to 1929. He became president after the sudden death of Warren G. Harding and helped restore trust in the government after a time of scandals. Coolidge was known as “Silent Cal” because he spoke very little in public—but his quiet nature hid a strong belief in honesty, hard work, and small government. He led the country during the Roaring Twenties, a time of fast economic growth and cultural change.

👶 Early Life and Education

John Calvin Coolidge Jr. was born on July 4, 1872, in Plymouth Notch, Vermont, the only president born on Independence Day. He grew up in a small farming town and learned the value of honesty, thrift, and responsibility from his father, who ran a store and served in local government.

Coolidge went to Amherst College in Massachusetts and became a lawyer. He was quiet, serious, and respected for his calm judgment.

🏛 Political Career Before Presidency

Coolidge began his political career in Massachusetts, serving as:

• City councilman and mayor
• State legislator
• Lieutenant Governor
• Governor of Massachusetts

He became famous in 1919 when he ended a police strike in Boston, saying:

“There is no right to strike against the public safety by anybody, anywhere, any time.”

This made him a national hero for supporting law and order.

He was chosen as Warren Harding’s vice president in 1920.

🇺🇸 Presidency Overview (1923–1929)

Coolidge became president on August 2, 1923, when Harding died suddenly. Coolidge took the oath of office from his father by kerosene lamp in his Vermont home.

As president, he worked to:

• Reduce the size of government
• Lower taxes
• Support businesses
• Balance the federal budget

His calm and steady leadership restored public trust after Harding’s scandals. He was elected in his own right in 1924, winning by a large margin.

💼 Economic Policies and the Roaring Twenties

Coolidge strongly believed in free-market capitalism, which meant the government should interfere as little as possible in the economy.

Key policies:

• Cut taxes for businesses and individuals
• Reduced national debt
• Encouraged investment and industry
• Opposed government help for struggling farmers

During his presidency, the economy boomed—this era became known as the Roaring Twenties, a time of:

• Jazz music and dance
• Automobiles and radios
• New inventions and technology

But Coolidge’s policies also meant there was little help for poor or rural Americans, and some problems were ignored.

🌍 Foreign Policy and Limited Involvement

Coolidge believed the U.S. should avoid getting involved in foreign wars or conflicts. His foreign policy focused on:

• Peace treaties, like the Kellogg-Briand Pact, where countries promised not to use war to solve problems
• Paying off war debts from World War I
• Supporting peaceful trade

He avoided military action and believed the U.S. should be a model of freedom and prosperity.

🗳️ Decision Not to Run Again

In 1928, Coolidge surprised the nation by choosing not to run for a second full term, even though he was popular. He simply said:

“I do not choose to run for President in 1928.”

He returned to private life and wrote his autobiography. He died on January 5, 1933, just before the Great Depression began.

🧾 Legacy and Historical Impact

Coolidge is remembered for:

• Bringing stability and trust back to the presidency
• Supporting a booming economy
• Believing strongly in limited government
• Being honest, polite, and serious

Critics say he didn’t do enough to stop problems like unfair business practices or help those in poverty. Still, many admire him for his strong character and leadership through calm, not crisis.

👨‍👩‍👧 Personal Life and Family

Coolidge married Grace Goodhue, a fun and outgoing teacher for the deaf. Their personalities were very different—she loved to talk and smile, while he was quiet—but they made a great team. They had two sons, though one died tragically while Coolidge was in office.

Coolidge enjoyed fishing, horseback riding, and storytelling, but most of all, he loved being home in Vermont.

💬 Famous Quotes

“The business of America is business.”
—Coolidge believed that business success helped the whole country.

“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence.”
—He valued steady, determined effort over talent alone.

“Don’t expect to build up the weak by pulling down the strong.”
—He wanted success to be earned, not taken away from others.

💡 Interesting Facts About Calvin Coolidge

• He was the only president born on July 4th.
• He slept a lot—he reportedly napped every afternoon while in office.
• He gave the first presidential radio broadcast.
• His nickname was “Silent Cal” because he spoke very little.
• He had a pet raccoon named Rebecca at the White House.

📚 Vocabulary Words

👧 Kid-Friendly Summary

Calvin Coolidge was the 30th President of the United States. He was quiet but wise and helped bring peace and order after a time of government scandals. He believed in low taxes and small government, and he was president during the Roaring Twenties, when people had new jobs, inventions, and fun. Coolidge didn’t like the spotlight, but people respected his honesty and fairness. Even though he didn’t do a lot of talking, he made a big difference.

✅ Interactive Quiz

Q1: What number president was Calvin Coolidge?
A. 29th
B. 30th ✅
C. 31st
D. 28th

Q2: What nickname did Coolidge earn for being quiet?
A. Cool Cal
B. The Big Thinker
C. Silent Cal ✅
D. Vermont Voice

Q3: What time period did Coolidge serve during?
A. Great Depression
B. Civil War
C. Roaring Twenties ✅
D. World War II

Q4: What kind of government did Coolidge believe in?
A. Very active
B. Military rule
C. Limited government ✅
D. Royal family

Q5: Who became president after Coolidge?
A. Herbert Hoover ✅
B. Franklin Roosevelt
C. Warren Harding
D. Harry Truman

Scoring:

    5/5 = ⭐ Coolidge Champion

    3–4 = 👍 Good Job

    1–2 = 📘 Review Again