Grateful American® Foundation

Which president was known as “The Little Magician?”

December 7th

Martin_Van_Buren_by_Mathew_Brady_c1855-58December 7, 1836 — Martin Van Buren is elected the 8th President of the United States today.

The first President from the State of New York, and the first President born after the United States had won its independence from England, he ran for President three times but only won the first time.

His many enemies called him “The Little Magician” because of his wily and shrewd political maneuvering. He never attained the popularity of some Presidents, but he held the distinction of holding the offices of US Senator, Governor of New York, Secretary of State, Vice President, and President of the United States, all in 12 years.

He was also a main founder of the Democratic Party.

Words of Wisdom

Those who have wrought great changes in the world never succeeded by gaining over chiefs; but always by exciting the multitude. The first is the resource of intrigue and produces only secondary results, the second is the resort of genius and transforms the universe.

— Martin Van Buren

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