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Martin Van Buren

8th President (1837-1841)

Born: December 5, 1782
Died: July 24, 1862

Vice President: Richard M. Johnson

Political Party: Democratic

Next President: William Henry Harrison

Previous President: Andrew Jackson

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Notable Martin Van Buren Quotes

"The less government interferes with private pursuits, the better for general prosperity."

"There is a power in public opinion in this country - and I thank God for it: for it is the most honest and best of all powers - which will not tolerate an incompetent or unworthy man to hold in his weak or wicked hands the lives and fortunes of his fellow-citizens."

The Only President to...

Although Martin Van Buren was the first president to be born an American citizen (all previous presidents were born before the revolution), he was the only president not to speak English as his first language. He grew up speaking Dutch.

He was one of only two people to have served as Secretary of State, Vice President, and President. The other was Thomas Jefferson.

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