Representative H. R. Gross speaking at the dedication of the Waterloo, Iowa municipal airport, June 10, 1951. by Spencer Howard One of the seldom used collections at the Hoover Library is the papers of Harold R. Gross, who represented northern Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives for 13 terms from 1949 … Continue reading H. R. Gross, Iowa’s Congressional Curmudgeon
Lewis Strauss (in the rear, wearing a dark suit and long tie) and Robert Oppenheimer (next to Strauss, 3-piece suit) with a group of scientists and engineers. Probably 1953. [31-1952-a10] by Spencer Howard In later years, Herbert Hoover was proud that so many of the young men who helped him provide food to starving Europe … Continue reading Lewis Strauss and Robert Oppenheimer
The American flag flying in front of the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library-Museum by Spencer Howard Did you know that on March 3, 1931 President Hoover signed the law that designated "The Star Spangled Banner" as our national anthem? For more than a century, the people of the United States debated what song, if any, should … Continue reading Herbert Hoover and “The Star Spangled Banner”
Peggy Ann, Joan and Peter Hoover at the White House, December 1930. by Spencer Howard Herbert and Lou Henry Hoover’s grandchildren were an important but little publicized part of the Hoover White House. Their youngest son, Allan, had just graduated from Stanford University and was still single when his father became President, but, their older … Continue reading The Hoover grandchildren at the White House
by Spencer Howard Ninety years ago today, on December 6, 1932, President Herbert Hoover sent his fourth and final State of the Union message to Congress. “In accord with my constitutional duty, I transmit herewith to the Congress information upon the state of the Union together with recommendation of measures for its consideration,” Hoover wrote. … Continue reading President Hoover’s final State of the Union
Former president Hoover, Queen Elizabeth II and New York City Mayor Robert Wagner at luncheon at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, 10/21/1957. (HHPL-M photo 31-1957-49) by Spencer Howard As the world mourns the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, we have been asked if Herbert Hoover ever met the Queen. The answer is yes, in 1957. Despite … Continue reading Remembering the Queen: When Herbert Hoover met Queen Elizabeth II
Herbert Hoover and Charles Curtis, June 1928 (HHPL-M image 31-1928-46) by Spencer Howard One question often asked is whether Vice President Charles Curtis attended Cabinet meetings during the Hoover Administration. At that time, it was a novel idea; only President Warren Harding had routinely included his vice president, Calvin Coolidge, in Cabinet meetings. Under most … Continue reading Did Vice President Charles Curtis attend Hoover’s Cabinet meetings?
by Spencer Howard On May 20, 1932, the fifth anniversary of Charles Lindbergh’s record-setting non-stop solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean, Amelia Earhart took off from Newfoundland on her own non-stop solo flight. Fifteen hours later she landed in Ireland, becoming just the second person and the first woman to achieve the feat. She was … Continue reading Amelia Earhart and the Distinguished Flying Cross
The Nobel Peace Prize medal. by Spencer Howard Herbert Hoover was known as “The Great Humanitarian” for the many food relief programs he led during and after both World Wars. The precise number of people Hoover saved from starvation remains a matter of debate, but most scholars agree it is in the hundreds of millions. … Continue reading Herbert Hoover’s Nobel Peace Prize nominations
by Spencer Howard Here at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library-Museum, we often receive questions about other famous people named Hoover, and which Hoover did what. There are a surprising number of Hoovers and Hoover families in the United States, many of whom are entirely unrelated to each other. It is not unusual for different Hoovers … Continue reading Do you know your Hoovers? An historical field guide
