20 moments

1. Birth in Kinderhook

   1782-12-05 · Kinderhook, New York, United States

   

   Van Buren was born in Kinderhook, where he grew up in a Dutch-speaking community and began the life that led to a career in New York and national politics.

2. Legal study in Kinderhook

   1796-01-01 · Kinderhook, New York, United States

   

   At age fourteen, Van Buren began legal study in Kinderhook, beginning the training that preceded his admission to the bar. The source dates the beginning of his legal study to 1796.

3. Democratic-Republican convention

   1801-01-01 · Troy, New York, United States

   

   Van Buren attended a Democratic-Republican convention and worked to secure John Peter Van Ness's nomination, an early documented political appearance.

4. Return to Kinderhook legal practice

   1803-01-01 · Kinderhook, New York, United States

   

   After admission to the New York bar, Van Buren returned to Kinderhook and established a law partnership with his half-brother James Van Alen.

5. Marriage to Hannah Hoes

   1807-02-21 · Catskill, New York, United States

   

   Van Buren married Hannah Hoes, his childhood sweetheart, in Catskill.

6. Move to Hudson

   1808-01-01 · Hudson, New York, United States

   

   Van Buren and his family relocated to Hudson, the Columbia County seat, to strengthen his political and legal base.

7. Move to Albany

   1815-01-01 · Albany, New York, United States

   

   Following his election as New York attorney general, Van Buren moved from Hudson to Albany and formed a legal partnership with Benjamin Butler. The surrounding text dates his election as attorney general, and this move, to 1815.

8. Arrival as U.S. senator

   1821-02-01 · Washington, District of Columbia, United States

   

   After the New York legislature elected him to the Senate, Van Buren arrived in Washington and entered national politics. The source supports February 1821 but does not give a day for his arrival.

9. Arrival as minister to Britain

   1831-09-01 · London, England, United Kingdom

   

   Van Buren arrived in London after Andrew Jackson appointed him ambassador to Britain during a Senate recess. The source supports September 1831 but does not give a day.

10. Northeastern tour with Andrew Jackson

    1833-01-01 · Northeastern United States

    

    As vice president, Van Buren accompanied President Andrew Jackson on a tour of the northeastern United States. Coordinates are a representative point for the broad region named by the source; the itinerary is not specified.

11. Presidential inauguration

    1837-03-04 · East Portico, United States Capitol, Washington, District of Columbia, United States

    

    Van Buren was sworn in as the eighth president of the United States at the East Portico of the U.S. Capitol. The source identifies March 4, 1837 and the East Portico, U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C., as the ceremony's date and location.

12. Return to Lindenwald

    1841-01-01 · Lindenwald, Kinderhook, New York, United States

    

    When his presidential term ended, Van Buren returned to Lindenwald, his estate near Kinderhook, which became his principal post-presidential base. The source dates the return to the expiration of his presidential term in 1841, without a more precise arrival date.

13. Visit to Ashland

    1842-01-01 · Ashland, Lexington, Kentucky, United States

    

    Van Buren accepted Henry Clay's invitation to visit Ashland during his 1842 southern and western tour. The source limits the visit to February-July 1842 but does not provide a more precise date.

14. Visit with Andrew Jackson

    1842-01-01 · The Hermitage, Nashville, Tennessee, United States

    

    During travel through the South and West while considering another presidential campaign, Van Buren visited Andrew Jackson at the Hermitage. The source limits the visit to February-July 1842 but does not provide a more precise date.

15. Visit with James K. Polk

    1842-01-01 · Columbia, Tennessee, United States

    

    On the same southern and western political journey, Van Buren visited James K. Polk at Polk's home in Columbia, Tennessee. The source limits the visit to February-July 1842 but does not provide a more precise date.

16. Democratic convention campaign

    1844-05-01 · Baltimore, Maryland, United States

    

    Van Buren traveled to Baltimore as the leading contender for the Democratic presidential nomination, but failed to secure the required two-thirds vote. The source dates the convention to May 1844; it does not specify Van Buren's date of arrival.

17. Fourth of July at Lindenwald

    1848-07-04 · Lindenwald, Kinderhook, New York, United States

    

    Van Buren hosted a July Fourth discussion at Lindenwald that helped produce a decision to split from the Democratic Party and form the Free Soil Party. The quoted account places the gathering on the Fourth of July; it identifies the host as President Van Buren's son John speaking of spending the day with his father.

18. European journey in England

    1853-01-01 · England, United Kingdom

    

    Van Buren traveled to Europe with his son Martin Jr. in pursuit of treatment for his son's tuberculosis; together they visited England. Coordinates are a representative point for England because the source does not name a city or date of the visit within 1853.

19. European journey in France

    1853-01-01 · France

    

    Van Buren and his son Martin Jr. visited France during their European journey for medical treatment. Coordinates are a representative point for France because the source does not name a city or date of the visit within 1853.

20. Death at Lindenwald

    1862-07-24 · Lindenwald, Kinderhook, New York, United States

    

    Van Buren died at his home, Lindenwald, after a long career in New York and national politics.