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

The Casablanca Conference – Unconditional Surrender

By Paul M. Sparrow, Director, FDR Library. In January, 1943, President Roosevelt embarked on a secret mission that would determine the course of World War Two, and ultimately the world we live in today. His destination - Casablanca, Morocco. His goal - to finalize Allied military plans with the British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill. It … Continue reading The Casablanca Conference – Unconditional Surrender

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

Summertime, and the Livin’ is easy…

By Paul M. Sparrow, Director, FDR Library, with Reagan Brown, intern. 80 years ago, on July 29th 1936, Franklin D. Roosevelt visited Campobello Island for the next to last time. It was a short visit, just two days, and it was only the second time he had returned since he came down with polio there … Continue reading Summertime, and the Livin’ is easy…

Pokemon Go has come to the FDR Presidential Library and that’s a good thing.

By Paul M. Sparrow, Director, FDR Library. The Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum is swarming with Pokemon Go characters. Visitors are wandering around staring at their phones, and catching them left and right. I’ve caught four and I never played the game before and only spent ten minutes at it. We have several Poke … Continue reading Pokemon Go has come to the FDR Presidential Library and that’s a good thing.

The Roosevelts and the House of Orange

By Paul Sparrow, Director, FDR Library. The relationship between the Roosevelt family and the Dutch royal family, known as the House of Orange, is both charming and historically significant. New York and the Hudson River Valley were both originally settled by Dutch pioneers. And the Netherlands was the first country to recognize the United States. … Continue reading The Roosevelts and the House of Orange

The Roosevelts’ Art: Personal Stories

By Paul Sparrow, Director, FDR Library. Art is the window to man's soul. Without it, he would never be able to see beyond his immediate world; nor could the world see the man within. - Lady Bird Johnson “The Roosevelts’ Art: Personal Stories” is a special exhibit running from April 1 until April 30th in … Continue reading The Roosevelts’ Art: Personal Stories

FDR and the Supreme Court: A Lasting Legacy

By Paul M. Sparrow, Director, FDR Library. The current debate about the appointment of a Supreme Court Justice during a presidential campaign is a political distraction because the constitution is clear on this. But the core issue about the importance of the President’s power to select Justices is vitally important. The consequences of the selection … Continue reading FDR and the Supreme Court: A Lasting Legacy

The “Four Freedoms” speech remastered

By Paul M. Sparrow, Director, FDR Library. There is only one speech in American history that inspired a multitude of books and films, the establishment of its own park, a series of paintings by a world famous artist, a prestigious international award and a United Nation’s resolution on Human Rights. That speech is Franklin D. Roosevelt’s … Continue reading The “Four Freedoms” speech remastered