Today in History: Martin Van Buren
Today in History–December 5–the Library of Congress features Martin Van Buren, born on this date in 1782. Learn more about our nation’s 8th president (1837-41), also known as “The Little Magician” and the “Red Fox of Kinderhook” for his skill in political manipulation, by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more stories and primary sources about Martin Van Buren.
Primary sources
- Martin Van Buren inauguration primary source set
- Martin Van Buren Papers
- Books about Martin Van Buren
- Martin Van Buren correspondence
- “First Independent Treasury Act” on July 4, 1840
- Featured Image: Martin Van Buren
- Martin Van Buren images
- Van Buren Ohio election tickets
- Van Buren & Free soil song sheet
- Van Buren’s First, Second, Third, and Fourth Annual Messages to Congress
- Van Buren’s comments on bankruptcy and the judicial system as presented in the Constitution
- Featured Source: Rats Leaving a Falling House guided primary source analysis activities
Selected articles from 19th-century periodicals
- “The Penny-Postman. No. II. To Martin Van Buren, late President of the United States. The United States Democratic Review, vol. 9, issue 41, November 1841
- “Mr. Van Buren” The United States Democratic Review, vol. 15, issue 73, July 1844
- “The Story of Tammany” Harper’s New Monthly Magazine, vol. 44, issue 264, May 1872
Historical newspaper coverage (Chronicling America collection)
- “Who is the Federalist?” The Burlington Free Press (Burlington, Vt.), August 26, 1836
- “Mr. Rives’ Letter.” (Presidential Election of 1844) Rutland Herald (Rutland, Vt.), February 1, 1844
- “Death of Ex-President Martin Van Buren.”(General Orders No. 89) The National Republican (Washington, D.C.), July 28, 1862
- “Martin Van Buren.” The Burlington Free Press (Burlington, Vt.), August 1, 1862
- “Death of Martin Van Buren.” The Memphis Daily Appeal (Memphis, Tenn.), August 9, 1862
- Martin Van Buren newspaper coverage through 1863
- President Van Buren newspaper coverage 1837-1841
More resources