by Spencer Howard The bicentennial of Washington's birth in February, 1932, was an occasion celebrated throughout the United States, and around the world. The official George Washington Bicentennial Commission was established by President Coolidge in December 1924, and over the succeeding seven years it organized numerous projects, programs and celebrations to commemorate the historic date, … Continue reading Washington’s Birthday Bicentennial: Planting a Tree
by Spencer Howard On January 31, 1921, a five-masted schooner was spotted aground on Diamond Shoal, off the coast of North Carolina, with sails set but no sign of the crew. Due to high seas, the Coast Guard was unable to identify or board the ship until February 4. When finally boarded, the ship was … Continue reading The Wreck of the Carroll A. Deering
In the summer of 1923 President Harding left Washington D.C. to travel across the country and visit the U.S. territory of Alaska. He initiated the visit to Alaska - feeling that Washington, with its great distance from Alaska, could never have a proper appreciation of their problems if they were only presented on paper. Harding wanted … Continue reading Alaska and the Voyage of Understanding
A rapid acceleration of Adolf Hitler’s anti-Semitic violence began the evening of November 9 and continued into November 10. Kristallnacht, or “the night of the broken glass”, witnessed more than 8,000 Jewish shops destroyed with countless synagogues demolished or burned. Individual Jews were attacked, many severely beaten, and more than ninety killed while others committed … Continue reading An Actor’s Response
by Spencer Howard What do you give a friend who has everything? For the last twenty years of his life, Herbert Hoover lived in suite 31A of the Waldorf Towers in New York. The Waldorf was one of the most exclusive addresses in New York, and Hoover's neighbors included General Douglas MacArthur, Ambassador Henry Cabot … Continue reading What to Give a Friend Who Has Everything?
As the holiday season approaches, thoughts turn to family gatherings, festive celebrations, and delighted children. The Hoovers were not a typical family, and spent many Christmases in unusual circumstances. Take, for example, Christmas 1903. The year 1903 was significant because Herbert and Lou welcomed their first child, Herbert Charles Hoover, into the world on August … Continue reading Christmas 1903
by Spencer Howard Before the days of international air travel, when passenger liners ruled the oceans and crossings were measured in days instead of hours, two passenger liners were named in honor of President Hoover. On December 9, 1930, the first SS President Hoover was christened by First Lady Lou Henry Hoover in Newport News, … Continue reading SS PresidentHoover
Shortly after her return to the United States to enroll her two young sons in school, Lou Hoover received an urgent telegram from her husband. Herbert Hoover, the head of the newly created Commission for Relief in Belgium [CRB], outlined the dire situation in Belgium: “OVER ONE MILLION PEOPLE ON BREAD LINE IN BELGIUM AT … Continue reading Lou Hoover’s Reflections on Reflectors
Herbert Hoover mentored and befriended many young men and women who latter achieved prominence in diverse fields of endeavor. One such relationship was with a young diplomat, Hugh Gibson, serving as secretary of the legation in Brussels, Belgium during the early years of World War I. Gibson was present during the meeting when the United … Continue reading The Making of the Modern Myth
Jazz aficionados associate the Savoy with the ballroom in Harlem made famous by Benny Goodman’s rendition of the Edgar Sampson tune. For Herbert and Lou Hoover, the Savoy Hotel was the favorite meeting place for most Americans in London in 1914. When World War I began, the Hoovers noticed long lines outside of the American Embassy. They quickly learned … Continue reading Stompin’ at the Savoy
