There are numerous emancipation moments in American history: many by blacks fleeing enslavement on their own initiative, and others through legal, military, executive and congressional acts. Most individuals know of the work of the “Underground Railroad” that was neither underground nor a railroad, but a network of individuals who helped enslaved people escape to freedom. Often … Continue reading The Emancipation Moment
President Harry Truman and former President Herbert Hoover, 06/17/1947.(HHPL-M image #31-1947-30). The defeat of the Axis Powers in World War II did not usher an era of peace. Rather, decades of unease between the United States and the Soviet Union characterized the postwar world. This period would be termed the Cold War—the absence of direct … Continue reading Hoover and Postwar Humor
By Thomas F. Schwartz As previous blog posts have demonstrated, Herbert and Lou Hoover enjoyed viewing Hollywood films. One of the most powerful individuals in Hollywood was not a studio head but the executive assistant to Louis B. Mayer of MGM, Ida Koverman. Ida began her career in the jewelry business and became an executive … Continue reading Ida Koverman, Hollywood, and Herbert Hoover
Several years ago I began a series of blogs about Herbert Hoover and his connections to 20th Century American Presidents. Somewhere along the line, my train of thought was derailed, and I faltered in my task. Now I aim to get back on track. In my last blog, I wrote about Hoover and Truman. Rather … Continue reading Hoover and 20th Century Presidents: Ronald Reagan
Herbert Hoover won the 1928 election in a landslide over Democrat Al Smith of New York. Four years later Hoover lost the 1932 election in a landslide to New York Democrat Franklin Roosevelt. The intervening four years marked the onset of the Great Depression. Ever pragmatic, Hoover knew that the American people would place their … Continue reading Herbert Hoover on Public Acceptance of the President
Guest author: Bob Erickson Sheri and I were married on a beautiful Saturday evening on the 24th August of 1968 in the First Lutheran Church in Cresco, Iowa just a few blocks from where we had graduated high school just two years earlier. After attending church on the morning of Sunday the 25th, we left … Continue reading Meeting a President
Dwight D. Eisenhower and Lewis L. Strauss had much in common. Both began their public service during the First World War. Each served when America was drawn into World War II. Both rose to national office after the war. Both were Republicans committed to American victory in the Cold War. Much to his chagrin, Eisenhower’s … Continue reading Dwight D. Eisenhower and Lewis L. Strauss: A Bull____ Story
At this time last year, I wrote a blog on Hoover’s return to the world stage in response to President Truman’s request for Hoover’s insights into the food situation in Europe immediately after V-E Day. I summarized an 18-page memo Hoover sent to Truman on May 31, 1945, recapping the main points of their 55-minute … Continue reading Revisiting Hoover’s Memo to Truman, May 1945
By Thomas F. Schwartz A recent viral video shows a famous Hollywood actor performing magic tricks. Surprisingly, it is not the actor at all but someone with an uncanny resemblance. “Deep fakes,” the use of artificial intelligence to create videos showing images so real, such as Queen Elizabeth performing a TicTok dance, that the fake … Continue reading The Phantom President
Herbert Hoover with President Elect Franklin D Roosevelt as they leave the White House on their way to the Inauguration ceremonies. By Thomas F. Schwartz Much ink has been spilled on the relationship between Herbert Hoover and Franklin Delano Roosevelt. What began as friendly mutual cooperation ended in a bitter transition of power. It … Continue reading A Troubled Relationship
