The Presidents of the USA

Fast Facts

Martin van Buren

1837-1841

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

birthplace

Kinderhook, NY

birthday

December 5

Life

1782-1862

age

OFC:54 , d. 80

party

Democratic

presidency highlights

Financial crisis: “the Panic of 1837”

nickname:

Little Magician, Van Ruin

vice-president:

Richard Johnson

previous office

8th Vice President of USA

key background fact:

Jackson’s Vice President and right hand

occupation

Lawyer

military service

none

children

4: 4 boys

wife:

Hannah Hoes (1807)

height

5' 6'' / 1.68 m

higher education

None (read law)

religion

Dutch Reformed

quote

"As to the presidency, the two happiest days of my life were those of my entrance upon the office and my surrender of it."

www.best-quotations.com

actions & events

1838 "The Trail of Tears". Indians’ relocation, 4000 die
1839 US vs. The Amistad: symbolic against slavery

economy

1837 The Panic of 1837. Financial crisis & depression

foreign affairs

Recognition of Republic of Texas; annex avoided

military activity

1838 2nd Seminole war against Seminole Indians in Florida

unique facts

The only president who did not speak English as first language (Dutch).
The first president born an American citizen.

interesting

The term “OK” was popularized because of him.

He made three unsuccessful bids for reelection.

military activity

1838 2nd Seminole war against Seminole Indians in Florida

Legacy

An able man, but always regarded more as a shrewd politician and a manipulator. His Presidency was a failure. It was marked by the financial crisis, the Panic of 1837. He was called "Martin Van Ruin".

Trail of tears