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The result was that wealth became concentrated more than ever and the economy began the slide into what was later known as the Great Depression. Much more than Hoover, who was mostly guilty of inaction, this economic disaster can be attributed to Calvin Coolidge’s policies. This is a time when government was not supposed to get involved in the business of America, but the thirtieth president raised that policy to an indolent, but eventually disastrous, extreme. First Time Lucky Herbert Hoover had not only never run for national office when he became the Republican candidate for the presidency ★ 26 OVAL OFFICE ODDITIES in 1928, but he had never run for any office in his life, except class treasurer when attending Stanford University.

Kids The youngest president at the time of his inauguration was Theodore Roosevelt. He succeeded to office when William McKinley was assassinated. He was just forty-two at that time. Kennedy was forty-three when he became president in 1960. The next youngest were William Clinton and U. S. Grant, both at forty-six. The oldest president at his inauguration was Ronald Reagan at sixty-nine. He just barely beat out William Henry Harrison, sixty-eight. Weak But Strong Heart Teddy Roosevelt was a sickly child and an aftereffect of his illnesses was to be left with a weak heart.

But Lincoln’s son, Tad, took a liking to the bird and often fed it. Within a week, the turkey was following the young boy around the White House like a house pet. But as Thanksgiving approached Tad began to realize the fate of his new pet. Reacting as only a young child can, he became quite upset over the impending fate of his new animal friend. This was during the Civil War, and President Lincoln was in a meeting when Tad burst in, able to wait no longer. The boy insisted that his father act immediately to save the turkey.