Small Town Roots
In a tiny village called Plymouth Notch, Vermont, a special little boy named Calvin was born on July 4, 1872. This was the same day America celebrates its birthday! The village was so small that only about two hundred people lived there.
Calvin lived in a simple white house with his family. His father, John, was a store owner and farmer who also helped make laws for Vermont. His mother, Victoria, loved to work in their garden and take care of their home.
“I liked living on the farm,” Calvin would say years later. “It taught me the value of hard work and being honest.”
Little Calvin was a quiet child who loved to help with farm chores. Every morning, he would wake up early to feed the chickens and help milk the cows. He learned that getting up early and working hard were important things in life.
Life wasn't always easy in Plymouth Notch. The winters were very cold, and sometimes snow would pile up higher than Calvin's head! But these challenges made him stronger. He learned to be brave and keep going even when things were hard.
In their small farmhouse, Calvin's mother taught him to read when he was just four years old. He loved books and would often sit by the fireplace reading stories about American history. His favorite subject was learning about the presidents of the United States.
Family Values
Calvin's parents taught him important lessons that would stay with him forever:
• Be honest in everything you do
• Work hard and do your best
• Save your money
• Help your neighbors
• Be quiet and listen more than you talk
Young Calvin was especially close to his father. John Coolidge would often tell him, "It's better to be right than popular." This was something Calvin would remember all his life.
School was important to Calvin. He walked two miles each way to the one-room schoolhouse in Plymouth Notch. Even in bad weather, he never missed a day! His teacher said he was one of the best students she had ever taught.
Growing Up Strong
As Calvin grew older, he showed signs of being a natural leader, even though he was quiet. When other kids were arguing about games at school, Calvin would help solve their problems by listening carefully and being fair.
His neighbors remembered him as a thoughtful boy who always said "please" and "thank you." He didn't talk much, but when he did, people listened because his words were wise.
By the time Calvin was ready to leave Plymouth Notch for college, he had learned all the important lessons of his small-town life. He knew about working hard, being honest, and helping others. These lessons would help him become one of America's most respected leaders.
His father gave him special advice before he left home: "Remember who you are and where you came from." Calvin never forgot these words or his roots in the small Vermont town that shaped his character.
Life in Plymouth Notch had prepared Calvin Coolidge for big things, though no one knew yet just how far this quiet farm boy would go. His journey was just beginning, and the values he learned in his small hometown would guide him all the way to the White House.
The Path to Politics
After leaving his small hometown, Calvin headed to Black River Academy for school. He was nervous but excited! The school was bigger than anything in Plymouth Notch, but Calvin worked hard just like he did on the farm.
College Days
Calvin went to Amherst College in Massachusetts. It was very different from Vermont! There were many more buildings and people than he was used to. But Calvin stayed true to his quiet ways.
At college, Calvin learned about law and government. He started to dream about helping people by making good laws. His teachers saw how smart and honest he was.
Becoming a Lawyer
After college, Calvin moved to Northampton, Massachusetts. He learned to be a lawyer by working with a kind man named Hammond. Calvin worked very hard and read many law books.
“I will help people solve their problems fairly,” Calvin promised himself. And he did just that!
Meeting Grace
One day, Calvin saw a pretty teacher named Grace Goodhue watering flowers. She was laughing because she saw Calvin through her window, wearing a funny hat! This made Calvin smile too.
First Steps in Politics
People in Northampton liked Calvin because he was honest and fair. They asked him to help run the city. Here are some jobs Calvin did:
• City Council member
• City Mayor
• State Leader
• Governor of Massachusetts
Calvin was very good at these jobs. He always listened to people’s problems and tried to help. He saved money for the city and made sure everything was fair.
Growing Family
While Calvin was busy with politics, he and Grace had two sons: John and Calvin Jr. They were a happy family! Grace helped Calvin by talking to people and making friends for him.
Calvin worked hard to make Massachusetts better. He helped workers get fair pay and made sure children could go to school. People started to notice this quiet man who got things done.
Rising Star
Other leaders saw how good Calvin was at his job. They asked him to be Vice President of the United States! This was a big surprise for the quiet boy from Vermont.
Grace told him, “You can do this, Calvin. Just be yourself.” Calvin knew she was right. He would keep being honest and working hard, just like his parents taught him.
Calvin’s path to politics wasn’t easy, but he kept going. He used all the lessons he learned back home in Plymouth Notch. Now, bigger changes were coming, and Calvin Coolidge was ready for them.
A Sudden Call to Lead
It was a warm summer night in Plymouth Notch when everything changed for Calvin Coolidge. The telephone rang at his father’s house. Calvin was visiting his old home when he got some big news.
A Big Change
President Warren Harding had died! As Vice President, Calvin would now become the new President. His father, who was also a judge, used a small lamp to light up the room. ️
The Police Strike
Before becoming president, Calvin had shown he could be strong when needed. As Governor of Massachusetts, he faced a big problem – the Boston police went on strike! ♂️
Bad people started causing trouble in the city. Everyone was scared. But Calvin knew just what to do.
“There is no right to strike against the public safety by anybody, anywhere, any time.” – Calvin Coolidge
Calvin called in other police to keep the city safe. He stood up for what was right, even when it was hard. People all over America noticed how brave he was!
A Different Kind of President
Calvin didn’t change when he became president. He was still quiet and careful. But he showed everyone that you don’t need to be loud to be strong. Here’s what made him special:
• He listened more than he talked
• He thought carefully before making choices
• He was honest and fair
• He worked hard every day
Making Big Decisions
As president, Calvin had to make many important choices. He believed in doing what was right, not what was easy. He wanted to help America grow and be strong.
Calvin worked to:
- Keep the country peaceful
- Help businesses grow
- Save money for America
- Make sure laws were fair
Grace in the White House
Calvin’s wife Grace helped make the White House happy! ️ She had parties and made everyone feel welcome. While Calvin was quiet, Grace talked and laughed with visitors.
A Strong Leader
Even though Calvin became president in a sudden way, he showed everyone he could do the job well. He kept his Vermont values of:
✨ Working hard
✨ Being honest
✨ Staying humble
✨ Helping others
The quiet boy from Plymouth Notch had become a strong leader. He showed that sometimes the quietest voice can be the most powerful. America was changing fast, and Calvin Coolidge was ready to help guide the way.
Growing with the Roaring Twenties
The 1920s were an exciting time in America! People called it the Roaring Twenties because everything seemed to be moving fast and getting better. President Calvin Coolidge helped make this happen.
Making America Rich
Calvin had a simple idea – if people and businesses kept more of their money, they would help make America grow! He worked to:
• Help businesses grow bigger
• Save money for the country
• Keep prices fair for things people bought
His plan worked! More people got jobs, and many families could buy new things like cars and radios for the first time.
Helping Everyone
Calvin wanted America to be fair for all people. Even though some didn’t think it was important back then, he worked to help Native Americans and Black Americans have better lives.
“The rights of all people must be protected, no matter who they are.” – Calvin Coolidge
He made Native Americans citizens of America! This was a big step forward.
Making Friends Around the World
Calvin knew America needed friends in other countries. He worked to:
✨ Keep peace with other nations
✨ Help countries work together
✨ Make fair rules for trading
✨ Show that America was friendly
New Things Everywhere!
The 1920s brought many exciting changes:
- Movies with sound started playing in theaters
- More people bought cars and could travel far
- Radios brought music and news into homes
- Cities grew bigger with tall buildings ️
Keeping Things Simple
Even with all these big changes, Calvin stayed the same quiet, careful person. He believed the best way to help America was to:
– Don’t waste money
– Let people keep more of what they earn
– Help businesses grow
– Keep the government small
Speaking Up When Needed
Though people called him “Silent Cal,” he knew when to speak up. When he talked about important things, everyone listened!
He gave speeches about:
• Making America stronger
• Being honest and working hard
• Helping all Americans have good lives
• Keeping peace in the world
A Time of Big Dreams
Under Calvin’s leadership, America became stronger and richer than ever before. People felt happy and hopeful about the future. The quiet man from Vermont was helping America roar into a new age!
Family Life and Hard Times
While Calvin Coolidge helped make America grow strong, he faced some very sad times at home. Being President didn’t make him immune to life’s hardest moments.
Life in the White House
The White House was very different with the Coolidge family. They brought their pet raccoon Rebecca and many other animals! Grace, Calvin’s wife, made everyone feel welcome and happy.
• Rebecca the raccoon
• Rob Roy the white collie
• Several cats
• Two lion cubs
• A wallaby
A Father’s Heart Breaks
In the summer of 1924, something very sad happened. Calvin Jr., the President’s younger son, was playing tennis at the White House. He got a small blister on his toe.
“When he was gone, the power and glory of the Presidency went with him.” – Calvin Coolidge about his son
The blister got infected. In those days, before good medicines, even small infections could be very dangerous. Calvin Jr. got very sick and died. He was only 16 years old.
Carrying On Through Pain
President Coolidge was very sad, but he knew he had to keep working for America. It wasn’t easy. He would often:
✨ Spend quiet time with his family
✨ Take long walks to think
✨ Write letters to people who lost loved ones
Grace’s Strong Support
Grace Coolidge helped her husband during this hard time. She was:
• Always ready with a smile
• Kind to everyone she met
• Strong when Calvin felt weak
• A wonderful First Lady
Finding Joy Again
Slowly, the Coolidge family found ways to be happy again. They:
– Had picnics together
– Played with their pets
– Took pictures
– Went on vacation in the Black Hills
Staying True to Values
Even in sad times, Calvin stayed honest and worked hard. He showed that:
• It’s okay to be sad
• Work can help heal pain
• Family love is very important
Teaching Others
Calvin’s way of handling his sadness taught Americans something important. You can:
Be strong even when you’re sad
Keep doing your job
Let others help you
Remember happy times
A Changed Man
After losing his son, Calvin was different. He worked just as hard, but he smiled less. He spent more time with his family and thought more about what was really important in life.
A Lasting Legacy
After leaving the White House, Calvin Coolidge went back to his quiet life. But the good things he did for America lived on!
Going Home
In 1929, Calvin and Grace moved to a beautiful house in Northampton, Massachusetts. It had a big porch where Calvin loved to sit and think.
• Wrote stories about his life
• Helped local charities
• Spent time with Grace
• Enjoyed quiet days at home
What People Remember
Calvin Coolidge showed us many important things:
“The business of America is business.” – Calvin Coolidge’s famous words
He helped make America rich and happy in the 1920s. People called these the “Roaring Twenties” because:
✨ Many people had good jobs
✨ Cars became common on roads
✨ Movies and radio shows were everywhere
Silent Cal’s Wisdom
Even though people called him “Silent Cal,” his actions spoke loudly:
• He worked hard every day
• He helped people trust the government
• He showed that quiet people can be great leaders
The Final Years
Calvin spent his last years happily with Grace. He:
Wrote for magazines
Helped young people learn about government
Took care of his garden
Enjoyed simple country life
His Story Lives On
Calvin Coolidge died on January 5, 1933. But his story teaches us important lessons:
– Work hard
– Be honest
– Save money
– Love your family
– Help others
America Remembers
Today, we remember Calvin Coolidge as:
• A leader who was honest and careful
• A family man who faced hard times bravely
• Someone who showed that actions matter more than words
Looking Back
From his small-town start to becoming president, Calvin never forgot what was important. He showed that:
Hard work matters more than fancy talk
Being honest is always right
Family comes first
Calvin Coolidge’s story reminds us that anyone from a small town can do big things. His quiet strength and honest ways still teach us how to be good leaders and good people today.