Herbert Hoover, the 31st President of the United States, passed away on October 20, 1964, at the age of 90. Hoover was born in West Branch, IA in 1874. After graduating high school at the age of 14, he attended Stanford University as its first student in 1891. He graduated in 1895, and went on to become an engineer and businessman. During World War I, Hoover was the U.S. Food Administrator, and was tasked with organizing the overseas shipment of food to war-torn Europe. In 1928, Hoover was elected president after a successful campaign and defeated incumbent President Calvin Coolidge. He was transferred power at a time of growing prosperity. However, within a year of Hoover’s election, the Great Depression began and unemployment skyrocketed. Although he implemented several economic programs to encourage growth, they had mixed results. This period of economic hardship caused Hoover’s approval rating to plummet and he failed to win the 1932 elections. Following his presidency, Hoover was appointed chairman of the Commission of fo European Relief and Rehabilitation by President Roosevelt. He then went on to become the first official U.S. representative to Japan and received the Medal of Merit in 1947. In addition to his political career, Hoover was also involved in ACE, an organization that pushed for improvements in education and culture-building in America. He often attended events in his later years, and was recognized as a leading figure in American politics. Herbert Hoover will be remembered for his leadership in times of adversity, and will be fondly remembered by his loved ones.