A hundred years ago President Harding was enjoying a wave of popularity perhaps unrivaled since George Washington. He had promised a return to normalcy and prosperity and he had delivered on both. The US was experiencing a wave of prosperity that was rapidly transforming the way Americans lived. On Civil Rights Harding was pointing to a new America of racial harmony. On the international scene no threats to America appeared even on the furthest horizon. Harding looked to be a shoo in for re-election in 1924. The midterms had been disappointing for the Republicans, but increasing prosperity seemed to ensure that 1924 would be a GOP landslide across the board.
Harding was in the midst of a speaking tour across the nation, rather physically demanding. Little did Harding suspect that he had a weak heart which would take him from this Vale of Tears on August 2, 1923. On August 2 of this year we will look at the impact of Harding’s unexpected death on American history.
Looking forward to reading about the trip!
I was in Juneau, Alaska last week, which Harding was the first sitting president to visit.