Quick facts for kids
Warren Gamaliel Harding
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29th President of the United States | |
In office March 4, 1921 – August 2, 1923 |
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Vice President | Calvin Coolidge |
Preceded by | Woodrow Wilson |
Succeeded by | Calvin Coolidge |
Personal details | |
Born | Near Blooming Grove, Ohio |
November 2, 1865
Died | August 2, 1923 San Francisco, California |
(aged 57)
Nationality | American |
Political party | Republican |
Spouse(s) | Florence Kling Harding |
Warren Gamaliel Harding (November 2, 1865–August 2, 1923) was the 29th President of the United States (Republican Party). Before becoming president, he was a senator and the assistant governor of Ohio. Before he was in government, he was an important newspaper manager. He was the president starting in 1921 until his death in 1923.
Presidency
After World War I, he was elected on the promise to return the United States back to normal. He supported limited government in the economy. During his term, he lowered taxes and believed that the economy should not be regulated too much.
Warren G. Harding made the mistake of appointing his friends to high political positions. In result, they corruptly abused their power for their personal gain and several scandals happened during his presidency, including the infamous Teapot Dome scandal based in Teapot Dome in Wyoming and involving Secretary of the Interior Albert Fall. Other untrustworthy people included Edward Doheny and Harry Sinclair.
Death
He died of a heart attack in 1923 while he was the president and visiting Alaska.
Personal life
Harding cheated on his wife with Carrie Phillips, a family friend. She supported Germany during World War I. In fact, many people thought she was a spy.
He also cheated with Nan Britton, who was over 30 years younger than him. He fathered a child with Britton. Afterward, she wrote a book called The President's Daughter, telling her story, but most people didn't believe her. However, in 2015, DNA testing confirmed that she was telling the truth about the baby.
What happened after his death
His vice president Calvin Coolidge became president after he died.
Historians generally consider him one of the worst presidents because of all the scandals he was a part of.
Images for kids
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Harding's home in Marion, Ohio
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Charles Evans Hughes, former Supreme Court justice and Harding's Secretary of State
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Charles Dawes—the first budget director and later, vice president under Coolidge
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Secretary of the Treasury Andrew W. Mellon advocated lower tax rates.
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Harding (center) with Chief Justice Taft (left) and Robert Lincoln at the dedication of the Lincoln Memorial, May 30, 1922
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Harding's funeral procession passing the White House
