The Press at the White House: 1918-1933
Copyright © White House Historical Association. All rights reserved under international copyright conventions. No part of this article may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Requests for reprint permissions should be addressed to books@whha.org
During the 1920s, press conferences emerged as a main form of presidential communication with the American people. Warren G. Harding hired professional speechwriter Judson Welliver in 1921 and began to hold public press conferences twice a week. Calvin Coolidge was the first president to use radio to speak directly to the citizens of the nation, broadcasting monthly programs. Herbert Hoover used the radio only for traditional occasions, like the State of the Union address. He formally established the position of the press secretary, hiring George Akerson in 1929.
You Might Also Like
-
PodcastSt. John’s, the Church of the Presidents
Featuring Rev. Robert Fisher, Rector at St. John’s Church
-
CollectionThe Historic Stephen Decatur House
In 1816, Commodore Stephen Decatur, Jr. and his wife Susan moved to the nascent capital city of Washington, D.C. With the prize money he received from his naval feats, Decatur purchased the entire city block on the northwest corner of today’s Lafayette Square. The Decaturs commissioned Benjamin Henry Latrobe, one of America’s first professional architects, to design and buil
-
Podcast250 Years of American Political Leadership
Featuring Iain Dale, award-winning British author and radio and podcast host
-
Collection"The President's Own"
On July 11, 1798, Congress passed legislation that created the United States Marine Corps and the Marine Band, America's oldest professional musical organization. The United States Marine Band has been nicknamed "The President's Own" because of its historic connection to the president of the United States. At its origin, the fledgling band consisted of a Drum Major, a Fife Major and 32 drums
-
PodcastDinner with the President
Featuring Alex Prud’homme, bestselling author and great-nephew of cooking legend Julia Child
-
PodcastAmerica’s Irish Roots
Featuring Geraldine Byrne Nason, Ambassador of Ireland to the United States
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
