Video: 'NBC News Death of Herbert Hoover Announcement (1964)'
(Tuesday, October 20, 1964, 11:35 a.m. EDT) — Herbert Clark Hoover, the 31st president of the United States from 1929 to 1933, a period marked by the onset of the Great Depression, passed away this morning at the age of 90.
Hoover died in his suite on the 31st floor of the Waldorf Towers in New York City following massive internal bleeding.
Born August 10, 1874, to a Quaker family in West Branch, Iowa, Hoover grew up in Oregon.
Before his presidency, Hoover was a prominent Republican, known for his humanitarian efforts and significant contributions to public service. He was a successful mining engineer, gaining wealth and recognition early in his career, before turning to public service during World War I.
During the war, Hoover led the Commission for Relief in Belgium, an international organization that provided vital food aid to the war-torn region. Later, he was appointed by President Woodrow Wilson to head the U.S. Food Administration, where he earned the title of the nation’s “food czar.”
After the war, Hoover directed the American Relief Administration, delivering food to millions suffering in Central and Eastern Europe, particularly in Russia.
Video: 'The real Herbert Hoover'
Hoover’s political ascent continued in the 1920s, serving as U.S. Secretary of Commerce under Presidents Warren G. Harding and Calvin Coolidge.
His effectiveness in this role, particularly in the development of air travel and radio, made him a standout Cabinet member, often referred to as “Secretary of Commerce and Under-Secretary of all other departments.”
He also led the federal response to the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927.
Hoover won the Republican nomination for president in 1928, defeating Democratic candidate Al Smith in a landslide victory. However, his presidency was marred by the Great Depression, which began with the stock market crash in 1929.
Hoover’s response to the economic crisis was widely criticized as inadequate, and his administration initiated the Mexican Repatriation program, forcibly deporting approximately 1.5 to 2 million Mexican Americans, many of whom were U.S. citizens.
Video: 'Herbert Hoover: Beyond the Great Depression'
In 1932, Hoover was decisively defeated by Franklin D. Roosevelt, ending his presidency.
Hoover’s retirement spanned over three decades, during which he authored numerous books and became increasingly conservative, vocally opposing Roosevelt’s New Deal and foreign policies.
His public reputation improved in later years due to his service under Presidents Harry S. Truman and Dwight D. Eisenhower, including chairing the influential Hoover Commission.
Despite a presidency often ranked poorly by historians, Hoover is remembered for his significant humanitarian contributions and his dedication to public service.
His legacy, though complex, reflects a life committed to the betterment of others both in the U.S. and abroad.
