"FINEST 1ST LADY TO SET FOOT IN WHITE HOUSE"

MRS. COOLIDGE GIVES ROSES TO 50 LOCAL WORKING GIRLS

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On December 24, 1923, The Evening Star reports "more than fifty working girls" received La France roses* as gifts from First Lady Grace Coolidge**.  The girls work in the local stores where Mrs. Coolidge purchases her clothing.

The roses were "brought to exquisite perfection" by the White House gardener.  Each bouquet of roses included a large envelope with The White House imprinted in gold letters.  Inside was a personal note for each girl written in the First Lady's own hand.

The working girls agreed that Mrs. Coolidge is "the finest first lady that ever set foot in the White House."

*Rosa 'La France' is a pink rose cultivar found in France in 1867, the first hybrid tea rose.

**Grace Goodhue Coolidge (1879-1957) was born in Burlington, Vermont & graduated from the University of Vermont, 1902.  GGC served as 1st Lady of Massachusetts 1919-1921 & 1st Lady of the United States 1923-1929. 

SOURCE

"50 Shopgirls Glory in Gift Of Roses from Mrs. Coolidge," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., December 24, 1923, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

 

 

Rosa La France

Photo by Arashiyama

2013

"BY THE DIM LIGHT OF A FLICKERING OIL LAMP"

COOLIDGE TAKES PRESIDENTIAL OATH 'BY DIM LIGHT OF FLICKERING OIL LAMP'

Plymouth, Vermont (JFK+50) At 2:47 Eastern time on the morning of August 3, 1923, Calvin Coolidge* took the oath of office and became the 30th President of the United States.

The Vice-President had learned of President Warren G. Harding's passing at midnight.  Paul Mallon of United Press writes that the oath was taken "by the dim light of a flickering oil lamp" and was administered by Calvin's "aged (78) father, (Colonel) John Coolidge**, who was a notary public."

Vrest Orton describes the scene...

"Standing back of the table was Colonel John.  He was ready.  He had on his black Sunday coat, a white shirt and a black necktie.  At Mr. Coolidge's left was his wife, Grace***, at his right Congressman Porter Dale.

In an unfaltering voice the old man began to read...'I do solemnly swear...'"

In a firm, determined voice, (Calvin Coolidge) added four words:  'So Help Me God.'" 

*John Calvin Coolidge, Jr. (1872-1933) was born in Plymouth Notch, Vermont & served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, as mayor of Northampton, MA, Massachusetts Senate 1912-1915, Lt. Gov MA 1916-1919, Governor of MA 1919-1921, VPOTUS 1921-1923 & POTUS 1923-1929.

CC, a man of few words, became known as "Silent Cal."  He is the only POTUS to have been born on Independence Day. 

**John Calvin Coolidge, Sr. (1845-1926) was born in Plymouth, VT & was a farmer & store owner.  JCC Sr. served in the Vermont House of Representatives & Senate. 

***Grace Anna (Goodhue) Coolidge (1879-1957) was born in Burlington, Vermont & would be the 1st 1st Lady to hold a 4 year college degree, BA University of Vermont, 1902.

SOURCES

"Calvin Coolidge's Unique Vermont Inauguration," by Vrest Orton, Academy Books, Rutland, Vermont, 1970.

"Simple Rite Marks Oath Of Coolidge," by Paul M. Mallon, Imperial Valley Press, El Centro, California, August 3, 1923, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/ 

 

 Calvin Coolidge Taking Oath of Office

Library of Congress

ca 1924

DEATH OF SILENT CAL

JFK+50:  Volume 6, No. 1819

CALVIN COOLIDGE DIED OF HEART ATTACK 83 YEARS AGO

Northampton, Massachusetts (JFK+50) Calvin Coolidge, 30th President of the United States, passed away here in Northampton at the age 0f sixty, eighty-three years ago today, January 5, 1933.

Former First Lady Grace Coolidge had returned from a morning shopping trip and had gone upstairs in their home, "The Beeches."

Amity Shlaes describes what happened next...

"Grace...found him in his dressing room, he was already gone.  He had been shaving, just as he had been the first time she saw him.  He had removed his jacket.  She could see from where Coolidge lay on the floor that it had all come over him suddenly.  The heart attack he had always feared had come."

At the time of his death, Mr. Coolidge had been the only living former POTUS. Although it was not known that he had heart disease, he had complained of recent attacks of indigestion.

Mrs. Coolidge, wishing to maintain the simplicity for which her husband was known, declined having her husband's body lie in state in Washington, D.C.
The funeral service, held at Edward's Congregational Church  here in Northampton, was attended by President Herbert Hoover. 

The gravesite service was held at Plymouth where the following passage written by Australian poet Robert Richardson was read,,,

"Warm summer sun,
Shine kindly here;
Warm southern wind,
Blow softly here;
Green sod above,
Lie light, lie light.
Good-night, dear heart,
Good-night, good-night."

SOURCES

"Coolidge," by Amity Shlaes, Harper, New York,  2013.

"Calvin Coolidge's Obituary," from The New York Times, January 6, 1933, www.diplom.org/

Grace and Calvin Coolidge, 1918

JFK NAMED MAN OF THE YEAR

New York City (JFK+50) Fifty-four years ago today, January 5, 1962, President John Fitzgerald Kennedy was named "Man of the Year" for 1961 by Time Magazine.  Mr. Kennedy became the fourth President of the United States to earn the honor since 1927.

The cover of Time displayed a "watercolor on paper" of the President with a serious expression.  The JFK portrait was the work of Italian painter Pietro Annigoni* who was influenced by the Italian Renaissance.  

Annigoni became world famous after painting Queen Elizabeth II in 1956.
Annigoni's "JFK" has been described as "one of his worst portraits" because the President would not sit still for the painting.The cover article in the Time "Man of the Year" edition includes this statement by JFK:

"This job is interesting...but the possibilities for trouble are unlimited.  It represents a chance to exercise your judgment on matters of importance.  It takes a lot of thought and effort.  It's been a tough first year but then they're all going to be tough."

The article goes on to say that President Kennedy had done his job well in his first year.  Time said...

"In his first year as President, John F. Kennedy showed qualities that have made him a promising leader. Those same qualities, if developed further, may make him a great President."


*Pietro Annigoni (1910-1988) was born in Milan and lived in Florence, Italy.
He attended the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence and died of complications from emergency ulcer surgery.

Original Time Magazine Cover

 January 5, 1962

JFK Library Image*

     *

FIRST NATIONAL CHRISTMAS TREE

JFK+50:  Volume 6, No. 1807

PRESIDENT COOLIDGE LIGHTS FIRST NATIONAL CHRISTMAS TREE

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) Ninety-two years ago today,  December 24, 1923, President Calvin Coolidge officially lit the First National Christmas Tree here in the Nation's Capital.  

By simply pushing a button, President Coolidge turned on 2500 red, white and green bulbs on the balsam fir brought from his home state of Vermont.  The tree was donated by Paul Moody, president of Middlebury College.

The President was accompanied by First Lady Grace Coolidge who approved the location of the Christmas tree.  Music for the ceremony was provided by the United States Marine Band, and the Epiphany Church and Congregational Church choirs.  3000 children attended the ceremony.

The lighting of the National Christmas Tree has been a tradition at the White House since 1923.  Franklin D. Roosevelt was the first president to give a speech at the lighting ceremony.

The original idea for the tree came from Frederick Morris Feiker, an engineer and editor, who saw it as a way to encourage the purchase of electric Christmas lights and the use of more electricity.

President John F. Kennedy was present at the tree lighting ceremony only once during his tenure.  In December 1961, his father suffered a stroke, so Vice-President Johnson substituted.

JFK lit the National Christmas Tree on December 17, 1962.

President Kennedy said:

"With the lighting of this tree, which is an old ceremony in Washington and one which has been among the most important of a good many Presidents...we initiate....the Christmas season."

At the end of 30 days of national mourning for the passing of President Kennedy, President Lyndon B. Johnson lit the tree on December 22, 1963.

The 1st National Christmas Tree

Washington, D.C. (1923)

 National Park Service Photo

2015 CAPITOL CHRISTMAS TREE

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50)  Not to be confused with the National Christmas Tree located between the White House and the Washington Monument, there is a Capitol Christmas Tree located on the grounds of the United States Capitol Building here in Washington.

The 2015 version comes from the Chugach National Forest in Alaska. The tradition for the tree dates back to 1964 when Speaker of the House John W. McCormack had a live Christmas Tree planted on the Capitol grounds.

SOURCE

"The Capitol Christmas Tree," www.capitolchristmastree.com/

U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree

Washington, D.C.

Photo by Jennifer White (2015)