The White House Christmas Eve Fire of 1929

On December 24, 1929 President Herbert Hoover and his wife Lou were hosting a holiday party, including the children of the President's aides and friends. In the hallway the Marine Band played Christmas songs. The President was enjoying the festivities when Ike Hoover, the White House usher, came into the room and whispered in the president’s ear. The president and his secretaries were needed immediately. Rarely has a crisis so immediately required the attention of the chief executive.
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This is original content based on research by The History Guy. Images in the Public Domain are carefully selected and provide illustration. As very few images of the actual event are available in the Public Domain, images of similar objects and events are used for illustration.
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Script by THG
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Пікірлер: 263

  • @jack3inflesh
    @jack3inflesh5 ай бұрын

    Boy did this fire get lost in history. The only fire I ever knew about was the 1812 burning by the Brits. Thanks for bringing it to life

  • @JackThelRipper

    @JackThelRipper

    5 ай бұрын

    Same here! Frickin baffles me that this was never mentioned in any history class?? I swear they should be teaching history about this Country first in school then other parts of the world.

  • @barbarajolley6578

    @barbarajolley6578

    5 ай бұрын

    @@JackThelRipper It seems that the history of "other parts of the world" isn't really taught, either. I have met quite a few young people who are clueless about either.

  • @mountainjeff

    @mountainjeff

    5 ай бұрын

    Kinda like Building 7.

  • @retroguy9494

    @retroguy9494

    5 ай бұрын

    I don't know how old you guys are, but I turn 60 this year and I knew about it. I remember it being talked about in school back when dinosaurs roamed the earth. It seems to me that today, there is little interest in history even in schools. Personally, I think history NEEDS to be studied so we not only have an understanding of where we are today and why, but also to not make the same mistakes going forward.

  • @mountainjeff

    @mountainjeff

    5 ай бұрын

    @@retroguy9494 Yes. I remember that I thought that everything was old news. That "we" were so much smarter now. There is so much to be learned, even from your parents, let alone your grand parents, if you're so lucky to have them. Why are "they" hiding stuff? Serious stuff? I'm talking RECENT history?

  • @timothysworld1028
    @timothysworld10285 ай бұрын

    According to the late White House Historian Williams Seales there was a puppy that was rescued from that fire. One of the Cabinet had a puppy he was keeping in his office to surprise his son for Christmas. interesting side note. Merry Christmas.

  • @SearTrip
    @SearTrip5 ай бұрын

    The weird thing is, I just found pictures of the aftermath of this fire last night looking through the Library of Congress website. That was the first I had ever heard if it. And now, today, here’s a video about it.

  • @tcschenks
    @tcschenks5 ай бұрын

    My Grandma told us that her house burnt down in the early 1930s when she was a little girl when the Depression-era Christmas Tree lights caught the Christmas Tree on fire.

  • @GrumpyMeow-Meow

    @GrumpyMeow-Meow

    5 ай бұрын

    Thank God she was alright. Those tree fires can reach 1200 degrees within 30 seconds.

  • @noelletakesthesky3977
    @noelletakesthesky39775 ай бұрын

    Mrs. Hoover was quite brilliant with how she turned what could have been a traumatizing event for children into something they were able to find fun. Of course, it wouldn’t be fun if something happened to one of their fathers, but she clearly erred on the side of hoping they’d all be okay, so how to salvage the night for the children. I love her for that.

  • @denniswhite166
    @denniswhite1665 ай бұрын

    Merry Christmas History Guy and crew. And to all my fellow subscribers.

  • @fearthehoneybadger
    @fearthehoneybadger5 ай бұрын

    Merry Christmas, everyone.

  • @jeffbangkok
    @jeffbangkok5 ай бұрын

    In the 80's I lived on the family dairy where there were no holidays without work. My paycheck came from the highway department where many Christmas eve's I'd be driving a snow plow. My last Christmas in the USA in 1999. Having THG bringing great gifts of history always makes my day. Thank you for all you do. Merry day after from Bangkok

  • @meminustherandomgooglenumbers

    @meminustherandomgooglenumbers

    5 ай бұрын

    Is it true that it’s super cheap to live in Bangkok? I bought five minutes in one of those truck stop massage chairs for the first time ever yesterday, and now I feel 15 years younger.

  • @retroguy9494

    @retroguy9494

    5 ай бұрын

    Well, I'm not surprised. Cows need to be milked even on Christmas day!

  • @skyden24195
    @skyden241955 ай бұрын

    I had not known of this incident prior to watching this video. Interesting Christmas gift from "The History Guy." Merry Christmas right back at everyone at "The History Guy" and all others who read this comment.

  • @danimal0921
    @danimal09215 ай бұрын

    Merry Christmas, Professor G and all of your family and crew at THG!!!!! Thank you for making History deserving to be Remembered!!!

  • @revrup
    @revrup5 ай бұрын

    Delightful story!

  • @coffeeNTrees
    @coffeeNTrees5 ай бұрын

    Merry Christmas to all who celebrate.

  • @jameshallett5395
    @jameshallett53955 ай бұрын

    THG: You and your team deserve to be remembered this Holiday Season…😊

  • @garycarpenter2980
    @garycarpenter29805 ай бұрын

    Merry Christmas Season Greetings Happy Holidays Melekalikimaka Joyuex Noel Feliz Navidad Buon Natale to you and your people

  • @HM2SGT

    @HM2SGT

    5 ай бұрын

    kzread.info/dash/bejne/rIhsm5aMj93VdJM.htmlsi=4cmN7_NZ5Rr_TELV Delightful version of MeleKalikimaka 🎄🎅😃

  • @DeconvertedMan
    @DeconvertedMan5 ай бұрын

    Merry Historymas!

  • @joelbrown3479

    @joelbrown3479

    5 ай бұрын

    PRICELESS More History...😂😂😂😂

  • @shortfusesallee
    @shortfusesallee5 ай бұрын

    Merry Christmas, History Guy. Thank you for all the wonderful videos and the free education!

  • @JayYoung-ro3vu
    @JayYoung-ro3vu5 ай бұрын

    Merry Christmas to you, yours, and your KZread followers! 🙏❤️🎄🙏❤️🎄🙏❤️🎄🙏❤️🎄

  • @okjoe5561
    @okjoe55615 ай бұрын

    Did they ever figure out what started the fire?

  • @TheHistoryGuyChannel

    @TheHistoryGuyChannel

    5 ай бұрын

    Not definitively. The two theories were faulty electrical wiring or a blocked chimney flue.

  • @briannicholas2757
    @briannicholas27575 ай бұрын

    Merry Christmas to the whole HG family, and all the best in the New Year. Thank you for all that you do to keep us both enlightened and entertained, it is a year long Christmas gift we all treasure.

  • @garylefevers
    @garylefevers5 ай бұрын

    Merry Christmas to those who celebrate. Happy Holidays to those who do not. God bless.

  • @Twash50
    @Twash505 ай бұрын

    Merry Christmas from Washington, D.C.

  • @LowEarthOrbitPilot
    @LowEarthOrbitPilot5 ай бұрын

    Merry Christmas, History Guy! 🙏🏼 Greetings from Fort Lauderdale, FL 🌴☀️👋🏼😁

  • @mamanoneyall51
    @mamanoneyall515 ай бұрын

    Merry Christmas 🎅☃️🇺🇲🗽🦅

  • @stevedietrich8936
    @stevedietrich89365 ай бұрын

    Merry Christmas to THG and crew, and to all my fellow students as well. I've enjoyed yet another year of THG's interesting videos and hope that there are several more years of videos to come.

  • @melinnwflorida1762
    @melinnwflorida17625 ай бұрын

    Merry Christmas to the History Guy and team! Your videos are always enlightening and entertaining. Thank you.

  • @dougwalker4944
    @dougwalker49445 ай бұрын

    .props to the 'Reason for the Season' ...looking like a hippie, inviting everyone to feast. 🙏🙏🙏Peace to All🙏🙏🙏

  • @yvonnefochesato4652
    @yvonnefochesato46525 ай бұрын

    Your son is young, what a wonderful way of saving this memory for him.... I'm looking forward to 2024 trip. All the best in 2024....

  • @bradleyalexander5821
    @bradleyalexander58215 ай бұрын

    Very interesting story. Who knew? Merry Christmas to All.

  • @davidshaddick3822
    @davidshaddick38225 ай бұрын

    Merry Christmas History Guy!

  • @shawnharrington9548
    @shawnharrington95485 ай бұрын

    A great Christmas gift, thank you. Still waiting for the history of historians.

  • @rabignall
    @rabignall5 ай бұрын

    Thank you 😊 🎉

  • @meganselva6799
    @meganselva67995 ай бұрын

    Merry Christmas 🎄

  • @constipatedinsincity4424
    @constipatedinsincity44245 ай бұрын

    Hey Seasons Beatings 😮one and all!

  • @doughboybellmore2347
    @doughboybellmore23475 ай бұрын

    Merry Christmas HG

  • @greggbaker7120
    @greggbaker71205 ай бұрын

    Any thoughts on when Christmas Lights on Houses, became the " thing " to do?

  • @dedcowbowee

    @dedcowbowee

    5 ай бұрын

    That is a great question never thought of that. Happy holidays!

  • @retroguy9494

    @retroguy9494

    5 ай бұрын

    That's actually a VERY good question. People had decorated the exterior of their houses long before Christmas lights. The first outdoor Christmas lights appeared in the late 1880's. But they weren't all that popular. Then, in the 1930's, they began to be produced in mass quantities. People began to use them more, perhaps as a way to feel good during the bad years of the depression. But more to your specific question of when they became 'the thing to do', it was in the post World War II era with the advent and boom of 'tract housing.' As more and more suburban communities and neighborhood sprung up, so did decorating the outside of them with Christmas lights, most especially on houses that had 'eaves' as people would decorate the outline of the house with the lights. My own parents used to do that when they built our house in the mid 1950's. Even when I was a child, my father always put the lights around the eaves. I think it wasn't until I was in middle or high school which was in the late 70's that he began to decorate the bushes and shrubs and the like. He did that when he got rid of his old screw in bulbs and made the switch to those little tiny lights which is basically still what most people use today.

  • @davidruppel1216
    @davidruppel12165 ай бұрын

    Merry Christmas from Christmas Valley Oregon!

  • @richwhitaker1506
    @richwhitaker15065 ай бұрын

    Merry Christmas History Guy. You keep us all grounded. 😂🎅

  • @crispincain5373
    @crispincain53735 ай бұрын

    Nice to see Tamar and I made the cut for ugly sweaters! Merry Happy New Year too!

  • @mikecooney3379
    @mikecooney33795 ай бұрын

    Merry Christmas one and all!

  • @laserbeam002
    @laserbeam0025 ай бұрын

    May you and family have a very Merry Christmas and a happy new year. I wish you continued success in the coming new year. Thank you.

  • @jeannedouglas9912
    @jeannedouglas99125 ай бұрын

    Thanks for reminding everyone.

  • @1Whipperin
    @1Whipperin5 ай бұрын

    Hallelujah, for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth..." "And He shall reign forever and ever..."

  • @jfriend2001
    @jfriend20015 ай бұрын

    Merry Christmas to you and yours History Guy - Keep the swell videos coming & the podcast is Amazing for road trips - keep the both coming !

  • @SafetySpooon
    @SafetySpooon5 ай бұрын

    Merriest of Xmases & Happiest of New Years to you all over that at THG!!

  • @budgiefriend
    @budgiefriend5 ай бұрын

    Merry Christmas to you and yours too.

  • @Nani-mw1sn
    @Nani-mw1sn5 ай бұрын

    Thank you.

  • @SP-eq9st
    @SP-eq9st5 ай бұрын

    Never knew about this. Thank you and Merry Christmas and hopefully a Happy New Year.

  • @stevenmullens511
    @stevenmullens5115 ай бұрын

    Merry Christmas, and God bless us all

  • @baylorsailor
    @baylorsailor5 ай бұрын

    What an ominous year. Im glad they saved what they could. Its a shame that so much of the work from TR's time was lost. TR is my favorite president in history.

  • @jonathanwetherell3609
    @jonathanwetherell36095 ай бұрын

    Happy Christmas to all, with my best wishes for 2024, now that 2023 is nearly history.

  • @KubotaManDan
    @KubotaManDan5 ай бұрын

    🎄 Merry Christmas ❄ Seasons Greetings ☃ Happy New Year 🥂 Peace and Love

  • @jbrhel
    @jbrhel5 ай бұрын

    Merry Christmas to you and yours THG.

  • @RetiredSailor60
    @RetiredSailor605 ай бұрын

    Merry Christmas from Ft Worth TX Lance (History Guy) and everyone watching around the world.

  • @GRWINNER
    @GRWINNER5 ай бұрын

    Merry christmas, Mr Lance!🎄♥️

  • @andyeaton6903
    @andyeaton69035 ай бұрын

    Thank you!!!!!!!!❤❤❤❤❤😂

  • @user-hb4ed8ej1r
    @user-hb4ed8ej1r5 ай бұрын

    You, your family and staff deserve every Christmas wish granted with a little extra. Thank you, Merry Christmas from my family to yours.

  • @ronalddevine9587
    @ronalddevine95875 ай бұрын

    Thanks Lance, and a very Merry Christmas to you and yours.

  • @HarryWHill-GA
    @HarryWHill-GA5 ай бұрын

    Thank you sir. I hope you and yours had a VERY Merry Christmas.

  • @MartyFox
    @MartyFox5 ай бұрын

    A few years ago the White House Historical Association issued a Christmas ornament commemorating the Hoover Administration. It was shaped like a fire truck.

  • @retroguy9494

    @retroguy9494

    5 ай бұрын

    I'm surprised it wasn't shaped like a dollar sign!

  • @jamesgudgeon4868
    @jamesgudgeon48685 ай бұрын

    🎉Merry Christmas to the History Guy 13:32

  • @eternalfizzer
    @eternalfizzer5 ай бұрын

    Thank you and Merry Christmas! What a wonderful team you have!

  • @susanbergquist3550
    @susanbergquist35505 ай бұрын

    A very Merry Christmas and hapy New Year! A big thanks for all of your hard work producing The History Guy, my favorite!!

  • @ricke.2205
    @ricke.22055 ай бұрын

    I'm a little late but, wish y'all at The History Guy had a Merry Christmas. Looking forward to a new year of The History Guy. God bless.

  • @jamesmathews9098
    @jamesmathews90985 ай бұрын

    Merry Christmas Mr. and Mrs THG! God bless you all!

  • @mikehill9888
    @mikehill98885 ай бұрын

    Thank you for the information 😊

  • @ChristineKane-on8bf
    @ChristineKane-on8bf5 ай бұрын

    Thank you! Merry Christmas 🎄

  • @geofftimm2291
    @geofftimm22915 ай бұрын

    Have you ever done a history of propaganda? I was taught about it in the 1950s and 60s in public school. Kids now days, seem more victims than skeptics.

  • @janitorizamped

    @janitorizamped

    5 ай бұрын

    As someone who is pretty skeptical of propaganda myself, I remember in school being taught about propaganda and always thinking that your generation was incredibly incompetent when it came to being skeptical of propaganda.

  • @rosezingleman5007

    @rosezingleman5007

    5 ай бұрын

    Even the history of propaganda is propagandized.

  • @matthewlong9369

    @matthewlong9369

    5 ай бұрын

    Propaganda has been around since (probably) before language. The Epic of Gilgamesh is essentially propaganda

  • @benjamintravis6606

    @benjamintravis6606

    5 ай бұрын

    There is a documentary called “faces of the enemy” that you’d probably enjoy. Also, a classic text on historiography, Historian’s Fallacies. Both are rather older and dated but useful if you’re interested in the topic. I totally agree that this would be an informative and important topic to cover.

  • @suzbone

    @suzbone

    5 ай бұрын

    Adam Curtis' documentary "The Century of the Self" is massively eye-opening about propaganda and public policy.

  • @scottanddebranelson8419
    @scottanddebranelson84195 ай бұрын

    thanks again and Merry Christmas to you as well sir.

  • @blues730
    @blues7305 ай бұрын

    Merry Christmas THG!! All the best from my family to yours.

  • @leev4206
    @leev42065 ай бұрын

    Enjoyed the video Christmas “card” at the end. May you have a joyous Christmas and a blessed year.

  • @iamsuzerain3987
    @iamsuzerain39875 ай бұрын

    Merry Christmas to you and the intrepid THG crew🎄

  • @midsue
    @midsue5 ай бұрын

    Merry Christmas to the History Guy and your team 🎄❄️

  • @bretmelton3823
    @bretmelton38235 ай бұрын

    Merry Christmas to you and your family!

  • @haroldmcelwain1604
    @haroldmcelwain16045 ай бұрын

    Merry Christmas!!!!

  • @TM-ev2tc
    @TM-ev2tc5 ай бұрын

    MERRY CHRISTMAS 🎄🧑‍🎄 Didn't the Great Depression start in 1929 The Wall Street Crash. 1929 was a big year I guess.

  • @HM2SGT

    @HM2SGT

    5 ай бұрын

    Indeed. End of October 1929, I'm not sure how long it took for the reality to set in

  • @retroguy9494

    @retroguy9494

    5 ай бұрын

    Yes, the Great Depression began in 1929 and the effect was almost immediate due to the many bank runs and failures. Before federal insurance programs like the FDIC and FSLIC, many people lost their life savings in those bank failures.

  • @E.T.GARAGE
    @E.T.GARAGE5 ай бұрын

    Merry Christmas to THG and everyone else.

  • @helenel4126
    @helenel41265 ай бұрын

    Merry Christmas! Never heard of this bit of history before. Thank you.

  • @danstotland6386
    @danstotland63865 ай бұрын

    Herr, professor. Doktor Geiger, We, here, wish you and friends and family a very merry Christmas and all the best for the coming. celebration (also all the gang at this site) That X-mas fire was news for me. Also, I make note that I was NOT invited to the party. Sighhh!

  • @zenpunkchef
    @zenpunkchef5 ай бұрын

    merry christmas to the history guy and the history family. thank you for all the wonderfull content you provide to us history buffs all year long.

  • @TerraVeritas
    @TerraVeritas5 ай бұрын

    Merry Christmas, THG and family!

  • @janlindtner305
    @janlindtner3055 ай бұрын

    Same for you👍👍👍

  • @BenjySparky
    @BenjySparky5 ай бұрын

    THG you rock! Merry Christmas to you and yours! Peace

  • @patrickols
    @patrickols5 ай бұрын

    Good video, one of your best…Merry Christmas to you sir and your family and everyone else

  • @webblong9252
    @webblong92525 ай бұрын

    Merry Christmas to Y'all at The History Guy. Ps Smokin hot episode🔥

  • @coreydarr8464
    @coreydarr84645 ай бұрын

    Happy Christ's Birthday and have a great New Year!

  • @PhantomLover007
    @PhantomLover0075 ай бұрын

    Awesome story. Hope you all have a merry Christmas.

  • @lisahinton9682

    @lisahinton9682

    5 ай бұрын

    @PhantomLover007 Please find a new adjective. The English language has tens of thousands that mean "great." Please find a new one.

  • @Jezeppi1
    @Jezeppi15 ай бұрын

    Merry Christmas to you as well. 🎉🎉🎉

  • @darkmist65
    @darkmist655 ай бұрын

    And a very merry Christmas to you and yours

  • @-.Steven
    @-.Steven5 ай бұрын

    Thanks History Guy! Merry Christmas to you and your family!

  • @DFSJR1203
    @DFSJR12035 ай бұрын

    Merry Christmas to you and your family.

  • @kenlodge3399
    @kenlodge33995 ай бұрын

    And a joyous Merry Christmas to you

  • @maryd9331
    @maryd93315 ай бұрын

    Merry Christmas to all! Thanks for all the great info, both serious and entertaining! #PrayForPeace

  • @arturowagner4728
    @arturowagner47285 ай бұрын

    Feliz Navidad, History Guy and family! Best wishes from Mexico!

  • @LBGirl1988
    @LBGirl19885 ай бұрын

    Merry Christmas!

  • @teaburg
    @teaburg5 ай бұрын

    Merry Christmas History Guy, team, and family.

  • @DrDirigible
    @DrDirigible5 ай бұрын

    Merry Christmas and happy New Year to you and your family. Thanks for all the videos you make.

  • @kimhohlmayer7018
    @kimhohlmayer70185 ай бұрын

    I now adore Mrs. Hoover! I can say that I would have been an equally eager child had I been there then.

  • @retroguy9494

    @retroguy9494

    5 ай бұрын

    Yea well, don't adore her too much! She had her issues and wasn't really a kind person. Especially when it came to people of the lower classes.

  • @Bambisgf77
    @Bambisgf775 ай бұрын

    Merry Christmas 2023 THG & family! 🎄☺️Having a binge session on all your Christmas videos!

  • @Michaelbos
    @Michaelbos5 ай бұрын

    Merry Christmas to you. 🎅🏻🎄

  • @adamedwards3921
    @adamedwards39215 ай бұрын

    MERRY CHRISTMAS H.G. , im sorry i dont recall ever hearing or you saying your name in videos ,and i tried looking in your KZread bio and community and couldt find it .

  • @bartsanders1553

    @bartsanders1553

    5 ай бұрын

    His name is Lance Geiger. Merry Christmas!

  • @TheHistoryGuyChannel

    @TheHistoryGuyChannel

    5 ай бұрын

    My name is Lance. www.stlpr.org/show/st-louis-on-the-air/2022-03-22/how-lance-geiger-became-a-youtube-star-with-the-history-guy

  • @navret1707

    @navret1707

    5 ай бұрын

    Lance Geiger aka THG

  • @goodun2974

    @goodun2974

    5 ай бұрын

    His first name is Lance.

  • @babecat2000

    @babecat2000

    5 ай бұрын

    @@TheHistoryGuyChannel Oh hey I am from St.Louis Area. Hi!