Florence Harriman, Diplomat

Portrait of Florence Harriman, ca. 1920s In 1937, President Roosevelt appointed Florence Jaffray Harriman (1870-1967) as United States' Minister to Norway. A founder of the Women's National Democratic Club and active in the Democratic National Committee, Harriman was related through marriage to W. Averell Harriman, future adviser to the President and governor of New York. … Continue reading Florence Harriman, Diplomat

Updates: Morgenthau Holocaust Collections Project

Hidden Figures -- Henrietta Stein Klotz: “The Watchdog of the Secretary of the Treasury”                    Dr. Abby Gondek is the Roosevelt Institute’s 2019-2020 Morgenthau Scholar-in-Residence. Here she blogs her research and work in support of the Morgenthau Holocaust Collections Project – a digital history and pathfinding initiative to raise awareness of the FDR Library’s unique … Continue reading Updates: Morgenthau Holocaust Collections Project

Veteran’s Day

The Veteran's Day we celebrate now was originally known as Armistice Day until 1954. The purpose of the holiday was to commemorate the end of World War I on November 11, 1918. Presidents often participate in ceremonies on November 11th at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, now the Tomb of the Unknowns, at Arlington National … Continue reading Veteran’s Day

75th Anniversary of the Battle for Guadalcanal

By Paul Sparrow, Director, FDR Library. August 7th, 2017 marks the 75th anniversary of the Marine landing on Guadalcanal. It was the start of one of the most important campaigns in World War II. There were smashing victories and bitter losses, acts of incredible heroism and unspeakable carnage. And at a critical moment, President Roosevelt … Continue reading 75th Anniversary of the Battle for Guadalcanal

FDR’s “The Federalist” – A closer look at a priceless book

By Paul M. Sparrow, Director, FDR Library. They don’t look very impressive, but they are two of the most remarkable books in Franklin Roosevelt’s personal library. This first edition, two volume set of The Federalist printed in 1788 by J. and A. M’Lean of New York, is historically significant, extremely rare, and has never been … Continue reading FDR’s “The Federalist” – A closer look at a priceless book

Images of Internment

By Paul M. Sparrow, Director, FDR Library. Throughout American history our presidents have struggled to find the right balance between the highest ideals of our founding charters and the cold realities of national security. This is especially true in times of war. President John Adams passed the Alien and Sedition Acts, Abraham Lincoln suspended the … Continue reading Images of Internment

FDR’s Four Historic Inaugurations

By Paul M. Sparrow, Director, FDR Library. Franklin D. Roosevelt is the only person who will ever have FOUR presidential inaugurations (thanks to the 22nd Amendment.) And each and every one of his inaugurations was historic in its own way.  Every president from Washington to Roosevelt had been inaugurated in March. Why? Because the U.S. … Continue reading FDR’s Four Historic Inaugurations

Day of Infamy

By Paul M. Sparrow, Director, FDR Library. It was the worst day of his presidency, the worst day of his life – and the worst military defeat in American history. President Franklin Roosevelt’s beloved Navy lay in smoking ruins in Pearl Harbor, as the Japanese Empire launched well-coordinated attacks across a 4,000 mile front. The Nazis … Continue reading Day of Infamy

Socialite, and Spy Master: Vincent Astor, FDR’s Area Controller of Intelligence for New York

By William Villano, Astor Project Digital Curator. Shortly after 10:00 am on Tuesday morning May 27, 1941 the tall, thin, well dressed gentleman approached Hudson Terminal. His fine tailored suit, immaculately polished shoes, and priceless pocket-watch, that relic which had been held by his father as he perished in the icy waters of the North … Continue reading Socialite, and Spy Master: Vincent Astor, FDR’s Area Controller of Intelligence for New York