How the Roosevelts Spent Christmas, 1936 As the holiday season approaches, we often get asked for details about how the Roosevelts spent Christmas in the White House. This memorandum describes the plans for Christmas 1936, including how the White House was decorated, the First Family's schedule and house guests, and even procedures for opening presents. … Continue reading Found in the Archives
From the Museum
Fala's Christmas Stocking (MO 2006.347) In 1941, the staff at the Roosevelt Library celebrated the new institution’s first Christmas by decorating President Roosevelt’s private study. The adornments included this small, blue stocking for FDR’s beloved Scottish terrier, Fala. The stocking can be seen in the photo above hanging next to the President’s. The scene … Continue reading From the Museum
Franklin D. Roosevelt Day by Day
What was President Franklin Roosevelt doing on December 7, 1941, before he learned of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor? Which advisers did he summon when he realized that America was on the brink of war? Most Americans know where the President was on December 8th, but where was he on December 6th . . … Continue reading Franklin D. Roosevelt Day by Day
From the Museum
"Remember Pearl Harbor" Weathervane (MO 2005.377) Tomorrow, December 7, marks the 70th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. In the early morning hours of that December Sunday in 1941, Japan unleashed a devastating surprise attack on American military installations in the Pacific. The worst blow came at Hawaii, site of the giant Pearl Harbor … Continue reading From the Museum
From the Museum
Medjez el Bab Horseshoe (MO 1944.104.6) In November 1943, President Roosevelt traveled to the Middle East to meet with other Allied leaders and discuss strategy at the Cairo and Tehran Conferences. While en route, FDR visited Tunisia to tour the sites of several battles fought there during the previous year. During a November 21 stop at Medjez el Bab, FDR lunched with General Dwight D. … Continue reading From the Museum
Found in the Archives
The Thanksgiving Before War, 1941 It was Franklin Roosevelt's yearly tradition to go back to Warm Springs, Georgia, and celebrate Thanksgiving with the patients and staff at the polio rehabilitation center he had founded there. The patients would always prepare a little program with skits and songs, and FDR would carve the turkeys himself. Thanksgiving … Continue reading Found in the Archives
From the Museum
"Let's Talk Turkey" Poster (MO 2005.13.34.252) During World War II, the U.S. Government created a wide range of posters aimed at inspiring Americans to contribute to the war effort. Many concentrated on increasing defense production. As the war progressed, new initiatives and methods for improving production were embraced. Ideas were collected from all sources, … Continue reading From the Museum
Found in the Archives
Franklin D. Roosevelt and the Thanksgiving Proclamation At the beginning of Franklin Roosevelt’s presidency, Thanksgiving was not a fixed holiday; it was up to the President to issue a Thanksgiving Proclamation to announce what date the holiday would fall on. President Abraham Lincoln had declared Thanksgiving a national holiday on the last Thursday in November … Continue reading Found in the Archives
Found in the Archives
First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and "Chief" Charles Alfred Anderson, 1941 In 1941, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt flew with one of America's first black pilots, Charles Alfred Anderson, over Tuskegee, Alabama. Mrs. Roosevelt's flight was well-publicized, and it demonstrated to the public and the military that African Americans could be competent pilots. Shortly after the flight, … Continue reading Found in the Archives
Found in the Archives
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
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