Category Archives: Martin Van Buren

Martin Van Buren and the Great Resignation

They called him The Little Magician . MVB: Dutch Politician Martin Van Buren (1782-1862) was born in Kinderhook, near Albany New York, to a tavern keeper and his second wife. Originally from The Netherlands, their first language – and that … Continue reading

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Richard M. Johnson: Scandalized Vice President

Richard Mentor Johnson was our first VP Johnson. Andrew (2) and Lyndon (3) came later. RMJ: Kentuckian Richard Mentor Johnson (1780-1850), was born/raised near what is now Louisville, KY when the area was still part of Virginia. His was a … Continue reading

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G.P.A. Healy and the Portraits of Presidents

The Young Artist George Peter Alexander (usually known as G.P.A.) Healy was definitely born poor in 1813 to Irish immigrants in Boston. A bit late to his calling, he was sixteen when he first picked up a brush, but the … Continue reading

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New York: Mother of VEEPS

New York can boast being home to ELEVEN Vice Presidents! The Old Guys…  In the early days of our country, a geopolitical balance between the President and Vice President was considered important – at least in vote-getting accommodation. With only … Continue reading

Posted in Chester Arthur, Martin Van Buren, Millard Fillmore, Nifty History People, Theodore Roosevelt | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Presidents of New York

Virginia and Ohio claim to be Mother of Presidents – but NY claims 7 unique sons! Three Who Re-Upped the Third Party Way #8, Martin Van Buren (1782-1862) was a New Yorker from the border of the Catskill and Adirondack … Continue reading

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The Connection of Aaron Burr and Martin Van Buren

People love a good scandal true or false – but especially if it involves peccadilloes. Aaron Burr (1756-1836) Aaron Burr had an interesting, if volatile and suspect career. In more than 250 years, he has attracted an assortment of partisans … Continue reading

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Martin Van Buren: The Irony of 1840

8th POTUS Martin Van Buren is vaguely remembered today, but…. …he holds a few interesting distinctions. Born in 1782, he was the first President who was not born a British subject. He was the only President who learned another language … Continue reading

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The Monroe Plateau

…Arguably the second oldest permanent possession of the White House… The Return of the White House Shortly after Dolley Madison “rescued” the Gilbert Stuart portrait of George Washington (the oldest possession)  in 1814, British soldiers torched the White House, as … Continue reading

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1861: A Year of Six Presidents

Abraham Lincoln’s inauguration in 1861 set many precedents. Presidential Precedents. Abraham Lincoln was a President of many firsts: The first POTUS born west of the Appalachian Mountains (KY); the elected first from Illinois; the first elected by popular plurality in … Continue reading

Posted in A POTUS-FLOTUS Blog, Abraham Lincoln, Franklin Pierce, James Buchanan, John Tyler, Martin Van Buren, Millard Fillmore | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments