February 2

Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan, “Press on” has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.

Calvin Coolidge, 29^th President, 1923-1929

-from New York Life Insurance Home office bulletin December 10, 1932-Coolidge, nicknamed Silent Cal, had a reputation as a man of few words. If so, this quote was a veritable novel from Coolidge. He was born in Vermont on July 4, 1872, the eldest son of a family whose father was a farmer, store keeper and public servant. His mother died when Coolidge was only twelve years of age. Coolidge attended Amherst College and then moved to North Hampton, Massachusetts, to study law. He, like his father, became active in politics and was eventually elected governor of Massachusetts. In politics and in his home life, he was famous for his one liners. For example, when he was first married, he handed his new wife, Grace, a bag of his socks, all with holes in them. She asked, "Did you marry me to darn your socks?" Coolidge replied, "No, but I find it mighty handy." Coolidge was nominated as Vice President to Warren G. Harding. When Harding died in office, Coolidge ascended to the Presidency in 1923 and was elected outright in 1924. He was a steady hand after Harding's scandal marred tenure and during the prosperous years of "The Roaring 20's". He declined to run for re-election in 1928, giving way to Herbert Hoover. In one of his jobs afterwards, he served on the Board of Directors for the New York Life Insurance Company. This quote, as part of a statement written to the agents of the company, was soon published and distributed as a poster and has been passed on since 1932..."Press on. Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent."Coolidge died a year later on January 5, 1933.