Enacting Social Security On August 14, 1935 legislators and advisors crowded into the White House Cabinet Room to witness the signing of the Social Security Act. News photographers and film crews recorded the moment for history as FDR put his signature on the bill. Standing directly behind the President was the person most responsible for … Continue reading Found in the Archives
The Olympic Torch Stopped in Hyde Park Excitement over the present-day Summer Games of the XXX Olympiad reminded us that the famous torch once paid a visit to the FDR Home and Library. On February 4, 1932, Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt formally opened the III Olympic Winter Games in Lake Placid, NY. On February … Continue reading Found in the Archives
Eleanor Roosevelt and Gore Vidal The recent death of celebrated author Gore Vidal (1925-2012) led us to explore his relationship with Eleanor Roosevelt. The following "My Day" column drafts and letters from Gore Vidal are found the Eleanor Roosevelt Papers here at the Roosevelt Library. From the beginning of Vidal's literary career, ER read and … Continue reading Found in the Archives
Americans With Disabilities Act To commemorate the 22nd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the National Archives is featuring Presidential records related to disability history on a new web research page. Following that theme, below is a brief description of how FDR's disability affected the design of his private retreat and of the … Continue reading Found in the Archives
Wagner Act Turns 77 When FDR signed the National Labor Relations Act (Wagner Act) into law on July 5, 1935, he declared: “A better relationship between labor and management is the high purpose of this Act. By assuring the employees the right of collective bargaining it fosters the development of the employment contract on a sound … Continue reading Found in the Archives
Last week 27 people traveled from all over the country, and even across the Atlantic Ocean, to visit the FDR Library’s research room. They came to interact with the estimated 17 million pages of primary source materials housed here within nearly 400 separate manuscript collections related to the Great Depression, the New Deal, and World … Continue reading Research in the Archives
FDR and the GI Bill of Rights June 22 marks the 68th anniversary of the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, more popularly known as the GI Bill of Rights. Although World War II was far from over, FDR was determined to plan ahead for a smooth transition to peace, both abroad and at home. The … Continue reading Found in the Archives
Eleanor Roosevelt and Queen Elizabeth II In the United Kingdom, 2012 marks the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. While the Queen's reign began after the Roosevelt years in the White House, there was a relationship between the Roosevelts and the Royals. Her parents, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, had visited the … Continue reading Found in the Archives
Golden Gate Bridge Opens This Sunday, May 27th, 2012 marks the 75th anniversary of the opening of Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. Considered a marvel of both scale and design, the Golden Gate held the distinction of being the world's longest suspension bridge up until the 1960s. The 1937 opening festivities lasted for one … Continue reading Found in the Archives
1934 Hawaiian Visit May is Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month. The Hawaiian Islands, located at the northernmost part of Polynesia, were annexed by the United States in 1898, and in 1959 became the nation's 50th state. By the time of Roosevelt's presidency Hawaii was characterized by an incredible diversity of cultural ancestry, including Native Hawaiian, pan-Asian … Continue reading Found in the Archives
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