On Thanksgiving Day, November 23, 1939, Franklin Roosevelt carved the turkey at the annual Thanksgiving Dinner at Warm Springs, Georgia, and wished all Americans across the country a Happy Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, his greeting went unanswered in some states; many Americans were not observing Thanksgiving on the same day as the President. Instead, they were waiting … Continue reading The Year Of Two Thanksgivings
Queen Elizabeth II
“I have the greatest respect for this young woman who must combine the responsibilities of a Queen with the requirements and emotional stresses of a young mother. I think, too, the British people are fortunate in having the royal family to hold them together. Everywhere you go, you see that the Queen, Prince Philip, the … Continue reading Queen Elizabeth II
Roosevelt, Commander in Chief
Franklin D. Roosevelt with Winston Churchill at the Casablanca Conference, Casablanca, Morocco. January 18, 1943. NPx 48-22:186 Cooperation, n. 1. Act of cooperating; joint operation; concurrent effort or labor. - Webster’s New International Dictionary (Second Ed.) By Kevin Thomas, Archives Technician Since America’s entry into the war in 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt had recognized … Continue reading Roosevelt, Commander in Chief
Fala: The Most Famous Dog in America
By Herman Eberhardt, Supervisory Museum Curator This is the story behind a small group of objects that are not the type of things you normally expect to find at a presidential library. Here we have a dog’s food bowl, a rubber ball and a stuffed sock. MO 1973.18a-c So what can these objects possibly have … Continue reading Fala: The Most Famous Dog in America
Look to Norway
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToeOpvsHcO4 United News newsreel, September 16, 1942: Presentation ceremonies for the United States’ gift of the escort ship, HNoMS King Haakon VII, to Crown Princess Martha of Norway accepting on behalf of the Norwegian Royal Navy. NAID 38922 “If there is anyone who still wonders why this war is being fought, let him look to … Continue reading Look to Norway
The Children’s Hour
Whistler, James Mcneill, Artist. The wine-glass / Whistler. , None. [Between 1860 and 1903] Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2003687838/. By Kevin Thomas, Archives Technician The process of making a cocktail can evoke sensations of confidence and creativity – even before imbibing. The person creating or preparing the cocktail, exerts a certain amount of control. Do they follow the prescribed … Continue reading The Children’s Hour
Eleanor Roosevelt’s Own Program, April 30, 1940
by William A. Harris, Deputy Director Eleanor Roosevelt prepares for the first broadcast of her new NBC radio series, April 30, 1940. (Harris and Ewing Collection, Library of Congress) On April 30, 1940, with little fanfare, Eleanor Roosevelt commenced a new, commercial radio series on NBC. It is hard to imagine in this media era … Continue reading Eleanor Roosevelt’s Own Program, April 30, 1940
And the Winner Is… FDR and the 13th Academy Awards Ceremony
By William A. Harris, Deputy Director Movie producer and Academy president Walter Wanger invited the President to speak at the Academy Awards ceremony on February 4th and three weeks later, the President gave his remarks. The above cross reference in the President's files tracks the process. (FDR Library, President's Official File 73, Motion Pictures) With … Continue reading And the Winner Is… FDR and the 13th Academy Awards Ceremony
Celebrating the First Fireside Chat
By William A. Harris, Deputy Director With water at the ready and microphones arrayed before him, the President prepares for a radio address, 1934. (FDR Library, 47-96 1783) This week marks the 88th anniversary of FDR's first "Fireside Chat." Though not identified as such on March 12, 1933, the President's address to the nation marked … Continue reading Celebrating the First Fireside Chat
Celebrating the Big Day: FDR’s First Inauguration and the Annual Anniversary Celebrations, 1934-1945
The formal program to FDR's first inauguration. (FDR Library, Grace Tully Papers) By William A. Harris, Deputy Director With March upon us, it is once again time to celebrate the first inauguration of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, as FDR himself did almost every year (except 1941 and 1945) of his Presidency. In 1933, FDR became … Continue reading Celebrating the Big Day: FDR’s First Inauguration and the Annual Anniversary Celebrations, 1934-1945
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