The Birthday Balls and the Fight Against Infantile Paralysis FDR contracted polio in 1921 at the age of 39, and was paralyzed from the waist down. For the rest of his life, FDR was committed to finding a way to rehabilitate himself as well as others afflicted with infantile paralysis. In 1924, FDR visited a … Continue reading Found in the Archives
Gifts from the Roosevelts It has become a time-honored tradition for the President and First Lady to distribute Christmas cards and gifts during the holiday season. Below are a few of the items Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt gave to family, friends, and staff during their time in the White House. 1933 During the Roosevelts’ first … Continue reading From the Museum
Aquamarine Stone (MO 1947.115.1) Several weeks after winning his second presidential election, FDR boarded the cruiser USS Indianapolis for a month long “Good Neighbor” cruise to South America. On November 27, 1936, the President stopped at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where he met with Brazilian President Getúlio Vargas. During this visit, President and Mrs. Vargas … Continue reading From the Museum
Thanksgiving during the War, 1943 During World War II, President Roosevelt made a number of trips to meet with foreign leaders to discuss the war effort and the postwar world. At the end of 1943, FDR traveled to Cairo, Egypt and Teheran, Iran to meet with Winston Churchill, Chiang Kai-shek and Joseph Stalin. The meeting … Continue reading Found in the Archives
Cliff Laube Sometimes I think it's a rare treat that I love my job as much as I do. It’s usually reinforced by friends or family talking about how boring their day was or how annoying a client is. Of course, yes, there are days I feel overwhelmed or my eyes are blurry from a … Continue reading Staff Perspectives
Get Out the Vote Statement Below is a statement by FDR urging people to vote in the 1942 mid-term elections. In it he says "we are engaged in an all-out war to keep democracy alive. Democracy survives through the courage and fortitude and wisdom of many generations of fighting Americans. And that includes using not … Continue reading Found in the Archives
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
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
Kirsten Carter Bold, Persistent Experimentation FDR delivered my favorite of his speeches in 1932, a month before accepting his first of four presidential nominations. He spoke to the graduating class of Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, setting forth an assertive challenge. The speech was a call to action: “The country needs and, unless I mistake its … Continue reading Staff Perspectives
.The Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park was dedicated on October 17, 2012. Designed by Louis I. Kahn, the park was built as an enduring tribute to the life and work of President Roosevelt. For more information on the park, please visit: http://www.fdrfourfreedomspark.org.
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