The Year Of Two Thanksgivings

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

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

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

The Holiday Season of 1943

By Kevin Thomas, Archives Technician New York, New York. Raymond [i.e. Raimondo] Fazio and his family receive a belated Christmas package from one of their four sons in the service. This one is in Africa. Fazio is a journalist and lives on East Tenth Street. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division: https://lccn.loc.gov/2017841930. The end … Continue reading The Holiday Season of 1943

FDR’s Naval Art Collection: History Captured on Canvas

By Paul M. Sparrow - Director, FDR Library Franklin Roosevelt collected more than 5,000 maritime prints, paintings and etchings during his life. Some are still in his home Springwood, but most are in the FDR Presidential Library and Museum.   You can see from this photo of his private study at the White House he … Continue reading FDR’s Naval Art Collection: History Captured on Canvas

Turning the Tide: FDR and the Battle of the Atlantic, March 18, 1943

by Kevin Thomas, Special Events Coordinator Franklin D. Roosevelt delivers his Christmas message on the radio from his study in the FDR Library in Hyde Park, New York, December 24, 1943. NPx 61-71. Lend-Lease is one of Franklin Roosevelt's most remarkable and vital achievements in the formation of the anti-Hitler alliance-        Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin, … Continue reading Turning the Tide: FDR and the Battle of the Atlantic, March 18, 1943

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

One of the Millions: FDR and the Flu Pandemic of 1918-1920

By Kevin Thomas, Special Events Coordinator The New York Times made it abundantly clear on September 20, 1918: F.D. Roosevelt Spanish Grip Victim Removed the previous day from the USS Leviathan in New York City, Assistant Secretary of the Navy Franklin Delano Roosevelt was taken to his mother’s residence in the city to recuperate. He was … Continue reading One of the Millions: FDR and the Flu Pandemic of 1918-1920

More than a Moment for the Nation: The Presidential Funeral of FDR

The flag is lifted from the lowered casket of Franklin D. Roosevelt at the burial site in the rose garden by members of the military services. Eleanor Roosevelt stands to left with Anna and Elliott on April 15, 1945 in Hyde Park, NY. NPx 77-144(1). By Kevin Thomas, Special Events Coordinator The crowd kept their stare … Continue reading More than a Moment for the Nation: The Presidential Funeral of FDR