Calvin Coolidge Speaks

The theme of this year’s AGE OF COOLIDGE CONTEST is Communication During the Coolidge Era. This is open to all students in grades four through eight. Here are a few radio facts gathered from the soon to be published book, Calvin Coolidge: Our First Radio President by Jerry L. Wallace.

• Even though his reputation was as “Silent Cal”, Calvin Coolidge was the first president to communicate directly with the American people by radio.
• Coolidge made more than 40 radio addresses during his presidency from 1923 to 1929.
• He took lessons to develop his radio skills.
• Radio brought changes to American life in the Twenties. It entertained and informed people no matter where they lived. It connected them to the outside world and to each other.
• Ownership of radios went from 400,000 in 1923 to 10 million in 1929.
• To give you an idea of the progress, President Wilson’s inaugurations in 1913 and 1917 used no technology. President Harding’s inauguration in 1921 was amplified and President Coolidge’s in 1925 was the first to be broadcast by radio. President Hoover’s in 1929 was broadcast around the world.
• One of Coolidge’s memorable broadcasts was at the 1927 celebration welcoming Charles Lindbergh, the “Lone Eagle”, home after his solo flight from New York to Paris.
• Most broadcasts were before a live audience.

Some ideas and questions to get you started on the Age of Coolidge Contest:

• Create a diorama or other display showing Coolidge giving a radio broadcast or a family listening in to a broadcast. See early photos for ideas.
• Research early radios. Interview an early radio enthusiast. Sometimes people bought kits and built their own radios. Make a poster, timeline, book, or other presentation.
• Design a game that presents information and asks questions as you play (such as a “Jeopardy” type game).
• Show how radio made a difference in people’s lives. (It allowed people to be less isolated in rural homes.) This could be done as a report, story, poem, song or play.
• Newspapers continued to be used for information. Research newspapers and magazines in the Twenties. How did the political cartoons and the news articles portray Coolidge? (Refer to other parts of this web site.)
• What do photographs from the era communicate?

CONTEST RULES

Creative entries are encouraged. Direct any questions to
education@calvin-coolidge.org or call 802-885-1156.

Contest is open to all students from grades four through eight.

• Students must attach a bibliography of their research sources. This can include interviews with people.
• Guidance and reasonable assistance are encouraged from teachers, families and friends but all work must be the student’s own.
• Entries must be sent or delivered by Nov. 14, 2008 to Calvin Coolidge Memorial Foundation, Box 97, Plymouth VT 05056. The office is at the Union Christian Church in Plymouth Notch. (802-672-3389)

Cash prizes of $100, $75, and $50 will be given in the Grade 4 to 6 Category and also in the Grade 7-8 Category. Presentations will be made at the Holiday Open House in December.