Calvin Coolidge, the 30th President of the United States, was a leader who embodied the ideals of small government, fiscal responsibility, and quiet but effective leadership.
Rising from humble beginnings in rural Vermont, Coolidge steadily ascended the political ladder, gaining national prominence through his firm handling of the Boston Police Strike in 1919.
His presidency, which spanned from 1923 to 1929, was marked by a commitment to pro-business policies, limited government intervention, and a period of economic growth known as the “Roaring Twenties.”
However, his legacy is often debated, with some crediting him for fostering prosperity while others argue he overlooked growing economic disparities and warning signs of the impending Great Depression.
This timeline explores key moments in Coolidge’s life, from his early years to his presidency and beyond.
| July 4, 1872 | John Calvin Coolidge Jr. is born in Plymouth Notch, Vermont, to John Calvin Coolidge Sr. and Victoria Josephine Moor. He is the only U.S. president born on Independence Day. |
| 1887 | Coolidge’s mother dies of tuberculosis when he is 12 years old. His sister Abigail dies in 1890. |
| 1891 | Graduates from Black River Academy in Ludlow, Vermont. |
| 1895 | Graduates with honors from Amherst College in Massachusetts, where he gains a reputation as a good speaker. |
| 1897 | Passes the bar exam and begins practicing law in Northampton, Massachusetts. |
| 1898 | Begins political career as a member of the Northampton City Council. |
| 1905 | Marries Grace Anna Goodhue, a teacher for the deaf, who becomes a major influence and partner in his life. |
| 1906 | Elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives. |
| 1910 | Elected Mayor of Northampton, Massachusetts. |
| 1912 | Elected to the Massachusetts State Senate. |
| 1914 | Becomes President of the Massachusetts Senate. |
| 1915 | Elected Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts. |
| 1918 | Elected Governor of Massachusetts. |
| 1919 | The Boston Police Strike becomes a major event during Coolidge’s governorship. He gains national recognition for his firm response, declaring, “There is no right to strike against the public safety by anybody, anywhere, any time.” |
| 1920 | Coolidge’s popularity from the Boston Police Strike earns him a spot as Republican Vice Presidential candidate on the ticket with Warren G. Harding. |
| March 4, 1921 | Inaugurated as Vice President of the United States under President Warren G. Harding. |
| 1921–1923 | Coolidge has a largely ceremonial role as vice president but supports Harding’s conservative economic agenda, including tax cuts and reduced government regulation. |
| August 2, 1923 | President Harding dies suddenly of a heart attack while traveling in California. |
| August 3, 1923 | Coolidge is sworn in as president at his family home in Vermont by his father, a notary public. |
| September 1923 | Coolidge addresses Congress and signals that he will maintain Harding’s pro-business policies. |
| 1924 | The Dawes Plan is negotiated to help Germany restructure its reparations payments from World War I, easing international tensions. |
| 1924 | Signs the Immigration Act of 1924, which restricts immigration from Southern and Eastern Europe and bans immigration from Asia. |
| November 1924 | Wins election to a full term as president, defeating Democrat John W. Davis and Progressive candidate Robert La Follette. |
| March 4, 1925 | Coolidge is inaugurated for his second term. |
| 1925 | Signs the Revenue Act of 1926, reducing income tax rates further and benefiting wealthy Americans. |
| 1927 | Charles Lindbergh completes the first solo transatlantic flight, and Coolidge presents him with the Distinguished Flying Cross. |
| 1927 | The Mississippi River Flood of 1927, one of the worst natural disasters in U.S. history, occurs. Coolidge’s response is criticized for being too passive. |
| 1928 | Signs the Kellogg-Briand Pact, an international agreement aimed at outlawing war (though it proves largely ineffective). |
| August 1927 | Announces, “I do not choose to run for President in 1928,” ending speculation about a third term. |
| March 4, 1929 | Coolidge leaves office, succeeded by Herbert Hoover. |
| 1929–1933 | Writes his autobiography and articles for magazines and newspapers, defending his presidency and conservative ideals. |
| January 5, 1933 | Dies suddenly of a heart attack at his home in Northampton, Massachusetts. He is buried in Plymouth Notch, Vermont. |
Timeline of Calvin Coolidge
July 4, 1872: Birth of Calvin Coolidge
John Calvin Coolidge Jr. was born in Plymouth Notch, Vermont, to John Calvin Coolidge Sr. and Victoria Josephine Moor. His birth on July 4th made him the only U.S. president born on Independence Day.
Also Read: Calvin Coolidge Accomplishments
His father was a farmer, storekeeper, and local public official, while his mother instilled in him traditional New England values.
1887: Loss of His Mother
Coolidge experienced a profound personal loss when his mother, Victoria Josephine Moor Coolidge, died of tuberculosis when he was just 12 years old. This event had a lasting emotional impact on him. Three years later, his only sibling, Abigail, also passed away.
1891: Graduates from Black River Academy
Coolidge completed his early education at Black River Academy in Ludlow, Vermont. The academy emphasized strong classical and moral instruction, helping him build a solid foundation for his later studies.
1895: Graduates from Amherst College
Coolidge graduated with honors from Amherst College in Massachusetts, where he studied classics and developed a reputation for public speaking. Amherst played a critical role in shaping his future in law and politics.
Also Read: Calvin Coolidge Facts
1897: Passes the Bar Exam
After studying law through an apprenticeship (the typical method at the time), Coolidge passed the bar exam in 1897 and established his legal practice in Northampton, Massachusetts. He gained local respect for his methodical and fair approach to law.
1898: Begins Political Career
Coolidge’s political career began with his election to the Northampton City Council. His ability to quietly but effectively work behind the scenes marked the start of a successful political trajectory.
1905: Marriage to Grace Goodhue
Coolidge married Grace Anna Goodhue, a vivacious and supportive teacher of the deaf. Their relationship balanced Coolidge’s introverted personality with Grace’s warmth and social charm. She would later become an admired First Lady.
1906: Elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives
Coolidge’s political reputation grew as he was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives, where he focused on fiscal responsibility and reducing government spending, key themes throughout his career.
1910: Elected Mayor of Northampton
Coolidge was elected mayor of Northampton, where he focused on balancing budgets and improving municipal infrastructure. His reputation for efficiency and honesty continued to grow during this period.
1912: Elected to the Massachusetts State Senate
Coolidge moved to state politics when he was elected to the Massachusetts State Senate, representing the Hampshire and Franklin district. He quickly advanced to leadership roles due to his skill in navigating political negotiations.
1914: Becomes President of the Massachusetts Senate
During his tenure as President of the Massachusetts Senate, Coolidge demonstrated his commitment to orderly governance and compromise. His steady leadership earned him further recognition within the Republican Party.
1915: Elected Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts
Coolidge was elected Lieutenant Governor, serving under Governor Samuel McCall. His role included ceremonial duties and behind-the-scenes political management, where his influence became increasingly evident.
1918: Elected Governor of Massachusetts
Coolidge’s steady ascent in state politics culminated in his election as Governor of Massachusetts. His administration focused on business-friendly policies, efficient governance, and maintaining law and order.
1919: Boston Police Strike
The Boston Police Strike was a defining moment of Coolidge’s governorship. When police officers went on strike for better wages and conditions, Coolidge refused to negotiate under pressure, stating that no public servant had the right to strike against public safety. His response earned him national fame.
1920: Vice Presidential Nomination
Coolidge’s handling of the police strike made him a national figure, and in 1920, he was selected as Warren G. Harding’s running mate for the presidency. The ticket ran on a platform of “return to normalcy” after World War I.
March 4, 1921: Sworn in as Vice President
Coolidge was inaugurated as Vice President alongside President Warren G. Harding. His role as vice president was largely ceremonial, but he remained a key supporter of Harding’s pro-business and limited government policies.
1921–1923: Ceremonial Role as Vice President
During Harding’s administration, Coolidge supported the administration’s conservative agenda but was largely overshadowed by Harding’s more active public profile. Nevertheless, he maintained his reputation for integrity.
August 2, 1923: Harding’s Death
President Harding’s sudden death while traveling in California thrust Coolidge into the presidency. The nation was shocked, but Coolidge’s calm and collected demeanor reassured the public during this unexpected transition.
August 3, 1923: Coolidge Sworn in as President
Coolidge was sworn in at 2:47 a.m. by his father, John Calvin Coolidge Sr., in Plymouth Notch. His father, a notary public, administered the oath in the family’s parlor by lamplight, making this a unique moment in presidential history.
September 1923: Addresses Congress
In his first address to Congress, Coolidge promised continuity with Harding’s policies, focusing on fiscal discipline, reduced government intervention, and a business-friendly environment.
1924: Dawes Plan
Coolidge supported the Dawes Plan, which restructured Germany’s reparations payments from World War I. The plan helped stabilize European economies and improved U.S.-Europe relations.
1924: Immigration Act
Coolidge signed the Immigration Act of 1924, which significantly restricted immigration from Southern and Eastern Europe and banned immigration from Asia entirely. The act reflected widespread nativist sentiment in the 1920s.
November 1924: Wins Full Term
Coolidge was elected to a full term, defeating Democratic candidate John W. Davis and Progressive candidate Robert La Follette. His victory confirmed public support for his conservative, pro-business policies.
March 4, 1925: Second Inauguration
Coolidge took the oath of office for his full term as president. His second-term priorities included tax reduction, maintaining the gold standard, and supporting limited government.
1925: Revenue Act
Coolidge signed the Revenue Act of 1926, which further reduced income taxes, particularly for wealthier Americans. His administration believed this would encourage investment and economic growth.
1927: Charles Lindbergh’s Flight
When Charles Lindbergh completed the first solo transatlantic flight, Coolidge invited him to Washington, D.C., and awarded him the Distinguished Flying Cross, recognizing this monumental achievement in aviation.
1927: Mississippi River Flood
The devastating Mississippi River flood of 1927 affected hundreds of thousands of people. Coolidge was criticized for his limited response, as he largely delegated relief efforts to local and state authorities.
1928: Kellogg-Briand Pact
Coolidge signed the Kellogg-Briand Pact, an international treaty aimed at outlawing war as a means of resolving conflicts. Although the pact was symbolic, it represented a hopeful but ultimately flawed attempt at peace.
August 1927: Announces He Will Not Seek Re-election
Coolidge surprised the nation by announcing that he would not run for re-election in 1928. His cryptic statement, “I do not choose to run,” left historians debating his reasons, which included concerns about his wife’s health and a personal desire to retire.
March 4, 1929: Leaves Office
Coolidge left office as the nation experienced unprecedented prosperity. His successor, Herbert Hoover, inherited a booming economy that would soon collapse into the Great Depression.
1929–1933: Post-Presidency
Coolidge retired to Northampton, Massachusetts, where he wrote his autobiography and contributed articles defending his conservative legacy. He remained active in public discourse but refrained from seeking further political office.
January 5, 1933: Death of Calvin Coolidge
Coolidge died suddenly of a heart attack at his home in Northampton at age 60. He was buried in Plymouth Notch, Vermont, near his birthplace, where his legacy as a proponent of limited government and fiscal conservatism lives on.