Armistice Day, November 11,1941 On November 11, 1941 - seventy years ago - President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered his Armistice Day Address at the Amphitheater at the sacred site of Arlington National Cemetery. Although this annual event was a presidential tradition, the speech this year took on special meeting, for the world was again aflame … Continue reading Found in the Archives
The following is an excerpt from the Fall 2009 Rendezvous article, “Eleanor Roosevelt at 125,” by Allida Black: In 1962, as ER battled fatal illness, she also sought to complete her final call to action. In Tomorrow is Now, she dared us to recognize the power we had as citizens and to use our power … Continue reading 49th Anniversary of Eleanor Roosevelt’s Death
Thinking of Sunnier Climates The recent October nor-easter snowstorm made us all think about warmer and sunnier places. And once again, the serendipity of archives provided us with a vicarious escape from the piles of snow. In July 1934, FDR took a lengthy fishing and inspection cruise aboard the USS Houston, traveling to Haiti, Puerto … Continue reading Found in the Archives
FDR's Bedside Note In the early morning hours of September 1, 1939, President Roosevelt was awakened in his bedroom at the White House by a telephone call from his Ambassador in Paris, William C. Bullitt, who advised the President that Germany had invaded Poland and that several Polish cities were being bombed. After FDR gave … Continue reading Found in the Archives
Einstein Letter In the summer of 1939, a group of physicists, including several who had fled Hitler’s Germany, met to discuss their fears of Germany developing a uranium-based weapon. It was decided that the best course of action was to inform President Roosevelt immediately of their concerns. Because Albert Einstein had a previous personal relationship … Continue reading Found in the Archives
The New Deal is all around us!!! On a recent trip to New England, a Roosevelt Library staff member couldn't help but notice the enduring and ubiquitous legacy of the New Deal all around. While walking in the Brown University section of Providence, Rhode Island, a simple glance downward discovered a brass marker embedded into … Continue reading Found in the Archives – Road Trip!
In 1960 Eleanor Roosevelt strongly supported Adlai Stevenson and encouraged him to seek the Democratic Party's nomination for President. That year, however, the Party pinned their hopes on a promising fresh face, and the nomination went to John F. Kennedy. Eleanor had some reservations about JFK, but she supported his bid for president after he … Continue reading Found in the Archives
From Trixie to Queen Beatrix Bravely waiting until the last moment, the Royal Family of the Netherlands barely escaped Hitler's clutches as the German armies swept through their homeland in May 1940. Queen Wilhelmina set up residence in London, while Princess Juliana and her family came to North America, splitting their time between … Continue reading Found in the Archives
FDR and the Masons Some amazing stonework going on at the FDR Library as part of our renovation has brought to mind that many great buildings and monuments were erected with the assistance of the Order of Freemasons, or Masons. And many U.S. presidents, including FDR, were members of the Masons. Franklin Roosevelt was initiated … Continue reading Found in the Archives
The Great Hurricane of 1938: Government and Citizens Working Together As Hurricane Irene bears down on the East Coast of the United States, it brings to mind the Great Hurricane of 1938 that brought devastation to Long Island, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. On September 21, 1938, entire coastal communities were simply swept off the … Continue reading Found in the Archives
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