The basic definition of democracy in its purest form comes from the Greek language: The term means ârule by the people.â But democracy is defined in many ways â a fact that has caused much disagreement among those leading various democracies as to how best to run one.
President Martin Van Buren 8th President Martin Van Buren, a member of the Democratic Party, took office as the 8th President of the United States on March 4, 1837 at age 54. Van Buren served in office for 4 years and left when he lost reelection. He was born in Kinderhook, NY and received an education from Kinderhook Academy and Washington Seminary.
While the country was prosperous when the Little Magician was elected, less than three months later the financial panic of 1837 punctured the prosperity. Only about 5 feet, 6 inches tall, but trim and erect, Martin Van Buren dressed fastidiously. His impeccable appearance belied his amiability--and his humble background. Of Dutch descent, he was born in 1782, the son of a tavernkeeper and farmer, in Kinderhook, New York.