Table of Contents

Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Longest-Serving President

FDR was the only U.S. president elected to four terms, serving from 1933 to 1945.1)

Polio Diagnosis

He was diagnosed with polio in 1921 at the age of 39, which left him paralyzed from the waist down.2)

New Deal

FDR's New Deal programs were aimed at helping the U.S. recover from the Great Depression.3)

Social Security Act

He signed the Social Security Act in 1935, creating the Social Security system.4)

Lend-Lease Act

During World War II, FDR introduced the Lend-Lease Act to supply Allied nations with vital war materials.5)

Fireside Chats

FDR communicated with the American public through a series of radio broadcasts known as “Fireside Chats.”6)

First Lady Eleanor

His wife, Eleanor Roosevelt, was a prominent political figure and activist in her own right.7)

Yalta Conference

In 1945, he met with Winston Churchill and Joseph Stalin at the Yalta Conference to discuss post-war reorganization.8)

United Nations

FDR was a key advocate for the establishment of the United Nations.9)

Pearl Harbor

He declared war on Japan after the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.10)

Supreme Court

He attempted to expand the number of Supreme Court justices, a plan known as the “court-packing” scheme.11)

Public Works Administration

The PWA was created under his administration to fund large-scale public works projects.12)

Civilian Conservation Corps

The CCC provided jobs for young men to work on environmental conservation projects.13)

Tennessee Valley Authority

The TVA was established to provide flood control and electricity to the Tennessee Valley.14)

Banking Reform

He introduced the Emergency Banking Act to stabilize the banking system.15)

First Inauguration

His first inaugural address included the famous line, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”16)

War-time Leader

FDR led the U.S. through most of World War II until his death in 1945.FDR led the U.S. through most of World War II until his death in 1945.17)

Warm Springs

He established a rehabilitation center for polio patients in Warm Springs, Georgia.18)

Good Neighbor Policy

His foreign policy aimed to improve relations with Latin American countries.19)

Executive Orders

He issued Executive Order 9066, which led to the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II.20)

Manhattan Project

He authorized the secret project to develop the atomic bomb.21)

Economic Bill of Rights

In 1944, he proposed a second Bill of Rights focused on economic security.22)

Public Service

Before becoming president, he served as Assistant Secretary of the Navy and Governor of New York.23)

Wealthy Background

He was born into a wealthy and influential family in Hyde Park, New York.24)

Harvard Graduate

FDR graduated from Harvard University in 1903.25)

First Presidential Library

He established the first presidential library, the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.26)

Labor Rights

His administration supported the Wagner Act, which strengthened labor unions.27)

Four Freedoms

In a 1941 speech, he articulated the Four Freedoms: freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear.28)

Died in Office

He died on April 12, 1945, in Warm Springs, Georgia.29)

Successor

His vice president, Harry S. Truman, succeeded him after his death.30)

Presidential Pet

FDR's Scottish Terrier, Fala, was a popular presidential pet.31)

Nobel Peace Prize

He was posthumously nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in founding the United Nations.32)

Education Advocacy

He supported educational programs and funding during his presidency.33)

Bridging Divides

He was known for his ability to unite diverse groups within the Democratic Party.34)

Farm Security Administration

His administration established the FSA to combat rural poverty.35)

Radio Influence

His use of radio was groundbreaking, making him a pioneer in mass media communication.36)

Family Legacy

He was a distant cousin of President Theodore Roosevelt.37)

Vice Presidents

He had three different vice presidents: John Nance Garner, Henry A. Wallace, and Harry S. Truman.38)

War Refugees

He took steps to assist European refugees during World War II, though his administration faced criticism for not doing enough.39)

Recreational Interests

He enjoyed sailing and was an avid stamp collector.40)

Diplomatic Visits

He traveled extensively for wartime diplomacy, including trips to Casablanca and Tehran.41)

Economic Stabilization

His administration created the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to protect bank deposits.42)

Humanitarian Efforts

He was instrumental in the creation of the March of Dimes, initially focused on combating polio.43)

Disability Advocacy

Despite his own disability, he rarely used a wheelchair in public to avoid appearing weak.44)

Posthumous Honors

Numerous schools, streets, and institutions are named after him, reflecting his lasting legacy.45)