8th President of the United States

Martin Van Buren

“The Little Magician”

In office

March 4, 1837 – March 4, 1841

Party

Democratic

Home state

New York

Lived

1782–1862

Days in office

1,461

In order

No. 8: after Andrew Jackson, before William Henry Harrison

Vice president

Richard M. Johnson

Key achievements & events

• Chief architect of the Democratic Party's national organization
• Struggled with the Panic of 1837, a severe economic depression
• Set up an Independent Treasury to hold federal funds outside private banks
• Avoided war with Britain over Canadian border disputes

Remember: The first president born a U.S. citizen (after independence). He grew up speaking Dutch.