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)