A Martin Van Buren Christmas
Not much is written about how America’s first Dutch president Martin Van Buren and his family celebrated the Christmas holiday season during his term in office. A severe "panic" or economic depression hit the nation on Van Buren's watch, and there was little to celebrate during those trying times. According to one historian, Van Buren’s most enduring Christmastime contribution was selecting the color of decor for the White House State Room (which became known as the Blue Room, and remained the same hue ever since). The Blue Room is where the official Christmas tree has come to be placed and where holiday celebrations are held each year.
Throughout his life and presidency, a number of memorable events took place during the Christmas season. For example Van Buren became governor of New York one week after Christmas of 1828. In his First Presidential Address to Congress, in December of 1837, Van Buren called for the establishment of an independent treasury to combat the banking crisis.
It was four days after Christmas of 1837 that the “Caroline Affair” took place. This incident involved Canadian troops seizing a U.S. steamboat which had been leased to Canadian insurrectionists. One American was killed. A week later, Van Buren issued a proclamation warning U.S. citizens not to assist in the Canadian revolt. He dispatched Federal troops to the Canada/Maine border.
Canada was still a British Colony in 1837 and for the next few holiday seasons, no White House Christmas cards were sent to Queen Victoria of England. On the day after his final Christmas in the White House in 1840, tensions with Great Britain eased when Alexander McLeod was found not guilty of murder. McLeod, a Canadian, has been arrested in New York for his involvement in the Caroline Affair.
Throughout his life and presidency, a number of memorable events took place during the Christmas season. For example Van Buren became governor of New York one week after Christmas of 1828. In his First Presidential Address to Congress, in December of 1837, Van Buren called for the establishment of an independent treasury to combat the banking crisis.
It was four days after Christmas of 1837 that the “Caroline Affair” took place. This incident involved Canadian troops seizing a U.S. steamboat which had been leased to Canadian insurrectionists. One American was killed. A week later, Van Buren issued a proclamation warning U.S. citizens not to assist in the Canadian revolt. He dispatched Federal troops to the Canada/Maine border.
Canada was still a British Colony in 1837 and for the next few holiday seasons, no White House Christmas cards were sent to Queen Victoria of England. On the day after his final Christmas in the White House in 1840, tensions with Great Britain eased when Alexander McLeod was found not guilty of murder. McLeod, a Canadian, has been arrested in New York for his involvement in the Caroline Affair.