The U.S. Presidents – Facts You Might Not Know

Published on 01/16/2019
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Herbert Hoover – 141.6

Herbert Hoover was in office during one of the most difficult times in the history of the United States. The 31st US President grew up in Iowa and Oregon before attending the prestigious Stanford University in the opening year of the academic institution. He later married Lou Henry, his college girlfriend. What you might not have known about Herbert Hoover is that he had an estimated IQ of 141.6. While that’s high overall, it’s pretty average in terms of presidents. He spent significant time in China before he launched his political career and he was in Europe during the eruption of the Great War. He earned some fame when he helped 120,000 American tourists evacuate France and Germany. He served from 1929 until 1933 during the stock market crash that led to the Great Depression. It was a trying time but Hoover nonetheless tried several methods to help out his countrymen like lowering the taxes and convincing businesses to keep their employees. It took a while for things to change so Hoover had to maintain his composure during a time of economic turmoil.

Herbert Hoover

Herbert Hoover

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Calvin Coolidge – 141.6

As vice president, Calvin Coolidge was next line after the untimely death of President Warren Harding back in 1923. The following year, he was elected as the president and he remained in office until 1929. With an IQ of 141.6, he was still below average in terms of presidents. He supported the laissez-faire foreign policy and small government so he was a popular political figure by the time his term ended. Many saw his administration as a time when the government had dignity even though the White House suffered several years filled with scandal. His soft-spoken demeanor contrasted with his passion for racial equality and civil rights. Regardless, he did not always win the approval of his fellow government officials, particularly when he wanted to turn lynching into a federal crime. Another important achievement under his administration was the passing of the Indian Citizenship Act which granted American citizenship to the Native Americans living on the reservations. Here is what his biographer had to say about him: “He embodied the spirit and hopes of the middle class, could interpret their longings and express their opinions. That he did represent the genius of the average is the most convincing proof of his strength”.

Calvin Coolidge

Calvin Coolidge

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