Christmas Day

Christmas represents love and mercy. It was ushered in by the star of hope and remains forever consecrated by the sacrifice of the cross. Christmas holds its place in the hearts of men because they know that love is the greatest thing in the world. Christmas is celebrated in its true spirit only by those who make some sacrifice for the benefit of their fellow men.

Newspaper column, December 25, 1930

Thanksgiving

The little band of Pilgrims who first established this institution on the shore by Plymouth Rock had no doubts. If their little colony of devoted souls, when exiled to a foreign wilderness by persecution, cut in half by disease, surrounded by hostility and threatened with famine, could give thanks, how much more should this great nation, less deserving than the Pilgrims yet abounding in freedom, peace, security and plenty, now have the faith to return thanks to the author of all good and perfect gifts.

From "Calvin Coolidge Says", November 28, 1930.

Veteran's Day

What the veterans gave cannot be measured in money. It was priceless.

From "Calvin Coolidge Says", January 28, 1931

Silent Cal

A wise old owl lived in an oak.
The more he saw the less he spoke.
The less he spoke the more he heard;
Why can't we be like that old bird?

Over the fireplace in Coolidge's home at Northampton, Massachusetts

Past and Future

We review the past not in order that we may return to it but that we find in what direction, straight and clear, it points to the future.

Address as vice president, Burlington, Vermont, June 12, 1923

Columbus Day

Measured by its effect on all following history, the voyage of Columbus, ending in the discovery of a new hemisphere, was an achievement of the first magnitude. Possibly others preceded him, but he was the first who made known the existence of America to European civilization.

From "Calvin Coolidge Says", October 11, 1930

Election Day

Elections are the most serious business in which our citizens engage. On their results depends not only the welfare of the people but the demonstration of their ability to govern themselves with safety and justice to each other. The greatest peace-time test of the moral power of a people is the ability to cast a disinterested, unselfish and patriotic vote. At the present time the country needs the most conscientious thought it can give in choosing officers. Only such decision is worthy of a free people.

from "Calvin Coolidge Says", September 29, 1930