The Good Luck Charm: Franklin D. Roosevelt and the 1920 Democratic National Convention

by Kevin Thomas, Special Events Coordinator Franklin D. Roosevelt and James Cox in Dayton, Ohio campaigning for Vice-President and President respectively. August 9, 1920. The lawn of Springwood was choked by the crowd. Nearly five thousand had gathered to witness the moment – when the young Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Franklin D. Roosevelt, addressed … Continue reading The Good Luck Charm: Franklin D. Roosevelt and the 1920 Democratic National Convention

From the Museum

FDR's “Lucky” Campaign Hat (MO 1945.58.20) This hat is one of several distinctive “lucky” felt hats Franklin D. Roosevelt wore during his four presidential campaigns. As you can see in the photos below, these trademark fedoras were a common sight on the campaign trail. After the 1940 election, Roosevelt generously donated this hat to be … Continue reading From the Museum

From the Museum

1940 Wendell Willkie Campaign Buttons The 1940 election was the most challenging and divisive of FDR’s political career. The President’s decision to seek an unprecedented third term inflamed his opponents—and some former supporters—who charged he wanted to become a dictator. And his efforts to aid countries fighting the Axis Powers led to charges he would … Continue reading From the Museum

From the Museum

1936 Podium (M.O. 2007.125) This aluminum and steel podium was specially designed for use by FDR during a 1936 presidential campaign stop at the new Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Missouri—an immense structure built with funds from the New Deal’s Public Works Administration (PWA).  A plaque inside the podium reads, “Presented by the citizens of … Continue reading From the Museum

Found in the Archives

1932 Presidential Campaign Franklin Roosevelt’s nomination for President by the Democratic Convention in Chicago in July 1932 led to one of the momentous campaigns in American political history. Saddled with responsibility for the Depression, President Hoover would have been vulnerable to almost any opponent in 1932.  FDR’s advisors were unanimous in urging him to play … Continue reading Found in the Archives

From the Museum

Roosevelt Campaign Posters   Franklin Roosevelt is the only American president elected to four terms. The campaign posters seen above represent all four of his presidential campaigns—1932, 1936, 1940, and 1944. Before the era of television and the internet, campaign posters were one of the primary visual tools used by presidential candidates. These posters reflected … Continue reading From the Museum

Public Programs News and Events

The FDR Presidential Library and Museum and the Roosevelt Institute are pleased to announce "FDR's 4 CAMPAIGNS," a free public forum on October 21, 2012. The forum will consist of two afternoon panel discussions beginning at 1:30 p.m. in the Henry A. Wallace Center at the FDR Presidential Library and Home. Both panels will feature … Continue reading Public Programs News and Events

Eleanor Roosevelt – My Day: October 22-31

October 23, 1944 "HYDE PARK, Sunday—Yesterday I accompanied my husband on his trip around New York. It is a long time since we have done anything of this kind. In spite of the bad weather, it was an interesting experience, and I was glad that the President had this stimulating drive and could attend the … Continue reading Eleanor Roosevelt – My Day: October 22-31