Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Tour curated by: Museum of History and Holocaust Education | 12 Locations



Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) was the 32nd President of the United States. He served in this capacity for twelve years. Roosevelt is remembered as a great political and social mind and faced some of the nation's most challenging issues.

President Roosevelt was born in Hyde Park, New York in 1882. FDR went to Harvard and to Columbia for law school and married Elanor Roosevelt when he was 23. His long political career began when he became a member of the New York Senate in 1910. Eleven years later, FDR fell ill with poliomyelitis. As a result of the illness, the future president lost much of the use of his legs. Roosevelt took part in physical therapy, primarily swimming, and advocated to improve treatments for others afflicted with paralysis.

In 1933, Roosevelt became president during the Great Depression. He promised a "New Deal" for America. Shortly after the start of FDR's third term as president, a Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor catapulted the country into the Second World War. Over the next few years, FDR attended conferences all over the world. Roosevelt orchestrated major changes in industry, work force, society, and economy in the United States.

President Roosevelt died in the spring of 1945 in one of his favorite places, Warm Springs, Georgia. He had just begun his forth term as president.

Locations for Tour

"America is demanding action, not words, something definite and concrete in the way of a constructive program - not an evasive hodgepodge of words such as the old-time politician used to find effective in catching the voters. What America wants today is a real genuine rule of the people, by the… Learn more

"This younger generation has educational advantages undreamed of by their fathers and mothers. The responsibility will soon rest in their hands. There is a wider point of view than the older generation possessed. They understand the terms state-minded and nation-minded; and in that lies the… Learn more

"... my hope is that these conferences are going to be merely enlarged editions of the kind of very delightful family conferences I have been holding in Albany for the last four years. I am told that what I am about to do will become impossible, but I am going to try it." Editor's… Learn more

“Within sight of you today stands a tribute to useful work under government supervision–the first slum clearance and low-rent housing project. Here, at the request of the citizens of Atlanta, we have cleared out nine square blocks of antiquated, squalid dwellings for years a detriment to this… Learn more

"And one of the blackest crimes in all history--begun by the Nazis in the days of peace, and multiplied by them a hundred fold in the time of war-- the wholesale systematic murder of the Jews of Europe-- goes on unabated every hour." Editor's Note: As evidenced in the quote above,… Learn more

"I was getting, as some of you know, radio messages from the State Department and from Europe, that made it pretty clear that there was going to be another World War, in fact I felt so even before I came on board for that cruise... I know all of us agree that we hope, as every other American… Learn more

"Yesterday, December 7, 1941, a date which will live in infamy, the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan... The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the… Learn more

"Now, therefore, by virtue of the authority vested in me as President of the United States, and Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy, I hereby authorize and direct the Secretary of War, and the Military Commanders whom he may from time to time designate, whenever he or any designated… Learn more

"I want you boys, all of you, to remember that back at home we are thinking about you. I know you wish you could get out of the hospital as soon as possible, and come back to the United States just as fast as we can lick the Nazis. I have had conferences with Marshal Stalin and Mr. Churchill… Learn more

"Battles cannot be fought and won without cost - and the cost may be heavy in ships and man. The brave and skillful men and women of the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery are dedicated to the task of reducing the cost in men, saving lives on deck, in the engine room, in the sick bay, in… Learn more

"Our young men and our young women are fighting not only for their existence, their homes, and their families. They also are fighting for a country and a world where men and women of all races, colors, and creeds can live, and work, and speak, and worship in peace and freedom and… Learn more

"Confidentially, my plans are to be in Warm Springs, Georgia after March twenty-ninth, for a couple of weeks" Editor's Note: Franklin Delano Roosevelt died in one of his favorite places. The quote above was part of a telegram he sent in 1945 less than a month before he suffered a… Learn more