# Franklin Delano Roosevelt

> president of the United States from 1933 to 1945 (1882–1945)

**Wikidata**: [Q8007](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q8007)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franklin_D._Roosevelt)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/franklin-delano-roosevelt

## Summary
Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) was the 32nd President of the United States, serving from 1933 to 1945. He is best known for leading the country through the Great Depression and World War II, as well as implementing transformative domestic and international policies.

## Biography
- Born: January 30, 1882, in Hyde Park, New York
- Nationality: United States
- Education: Harvard College, Columbia Law School, Groton School
- Known for: Leading the U.S. through the Great Depression and WWII; architect of the New Deal
- Employer(s): U.S. Government (President of the United States)
- Field(s): Politics, Public Policy, International Relations

## Contributions
Franklin Delano Roosevelt led the United States through two of its most challenging periods: the Great Depression and World War II. His key contributions include:
- **New Deal Programs (1933–1939)**: A series of economic programs aimed at recovery, relief, and reform, including the creation of the **Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)**, the **Social Security Administration**, and the **National Labor Relations Board**.
- **World War II Leadership (1941–1945)**: As Commander-in-Chief, he guided the U.S. through most of WWII, forming key alliances and shaping post-war global institutions like the United Nations.
- **Public Health Initiatives**: Helped establish the **National Cancer Institute (1937)** and supported the **March of Dimes** (founded 1938), which focused on polio research and eradication.
- **Four Freedoms Speech (1941)**: Articulated a vision of global human rights—freedom of speech, worship, from want, and from fear—that influenced the post-war world order.

## FAQs

### What is Franklin Delano Roosevelt most known for?
Franklin Delano Roosevelt is most known for serving as the 32nd President of the United States during the Great Depression and World War II. He implemented the New Deal to address economic collapse and led the U.S. through much of WWII, shaping both domestic and global policy.

### What were FDR's major achievements as president?
FDR's major achievements include:
- Launching the **New Deal** programs to combat the Great Depression.
- Establishing key institutions like the **Social Security Administration** and the **TVM**.
- Leading the U.S. into WWII and helping to establish the **United Nations**.
- Advocating for the **Four Freedoms**, which influenced post-war human rights discourse.

### What organizations did FDR help create or support?
FDR supported or founded several institutions:
- **Tennessee Valley Authority (1933)**: Provided electricity and economic development to rural areas.
- **National Cancer Institute (1937)**: Established to lead cancer research.
- **March of Dimes (1938)**: Focused on combating polio.
- **Social Security Administration (1935)**: Provided economic security for retirees and the unemployed.

### What was FDR's role in World War II?
As President, FDR led the U.S. through most of WWII, forming the Allied strategy with Britain and the Soviet Union. He played a key role in the Atlantic Charter (1941) and the early planning of the United Nations.

### What awards did FDR receive during his lifetime?
FDR received several honors, including:
- **Time Person of the Year** (multiple times)
- **Albert Medal** (UK)
- **Médaille militaire** (France)
- **American Philatelic Society Hall of Fame** (posthumously)

### What is FDR's legacy in American politics?
FDR redefined the role of the federal government in American life, expanding its involvement in economic and social welfare. His leadership during the New Deal and WWII established precedents for presidential crisis management and international diplomacy.

## Why They Matter
Franklin Delano Roosevelt fundamentally transformed the role of the U.S. presidency and government. His New Deal reshaped the social contract between citizens and the state, introducing federal programs that provided economic relief and job creation during the Great Depression. His wartime leadership helped establish the U.S. as a global superpower and shaped the post-war international order, including the United Nations. His influence extended beyond policy into culture, with his **Four Freedoms** speech becoming a cornerstone of global human rights advocacy. Without FDR, the modern American welfare state and the U.S.'s role in international leadership would likely look very different.

## Notable For
- Only U.S. president to serve **four terms** (1933–1945)
- Architect of the **New Deal**, reshaping federal economic policy
- Led the U.S. through **World War II**
- Signed the **National Cancer Institute Act (1937)**
- Supported the creation of the **Tennessee Valley Authority** and **Social Security Administration**
- Delivered the iconic **Four Freedoms** speech (1941)
- Recipient of **Time Person of the Year** and multiple international honors
- First president to use **Fala**, a Scottish Terrier, as a symbolic companion (Fala’s fame rivaled his own)
- Awarded the **Albert Medal** and **Médaille militaire**
- Inducted posthumously into the **American Philatelic Society Hall of Fame**

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Franklin Delano Roosevelt was born on January 30, 1882, in Hyde Park, New York. He was educated at:
- **Groton School**, a prestigious preparatory school
- **Harvard College**, where he studied history and political science
- **Columbia Law School**, though he did not practice law extensively before entering politics

He was raised in a politically active family and was influenced by his cousin, President Theodore Roosevelt.

### Political Career
Roosevelt began his political career in the **New York State Senate** in 1911. In 1913, President Woodrow Wilson appointed him **Assistant Secretary of the Navy**, where he served until 1920. In 1920, he was the Democratic nominee for Vice President, though the ticket lost. In 1924, he gave a keynote speech at the Democratic National Convention that launched his national profile.

In 1933, he became the **32nd President of the United States**, defeating Herbert Hoover in the 1932 election. He was re-elected three more times, serving until his death in 1945.

### New Deal and Domestic Policy
Upon taking office, FDR launched the **New Deal**, a series of federal programs aimed at economic recovery, financial reform, and job creation. Key initiatives included:
- **Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)** (1933): Provided electricity and flood control to rural areas.
- **Social Security Act** (1935): Established retirement benefits and unemployment insurance.
- **National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)** (1935): Protected workers' rights to organize.
- **National Cancer Institute** (1937): Focused on cancer research, established under his presidency.
- **March of Dimes** (1938): A public health initiative he supported to combat polio.

### World War II Leadership
FDR led the U.S. through most of World War II, from 1941 to 1945. He worked closely with Allied leaders Winston Churchill and Joseph Stalin, helping to shape the post-war world order. He was instrumental in the creation of the **United Nations** and supported the **Atlantic Charter (1941)**, which outlined Allied goals for the post-war world.

### Personal Life and Legacy
FDR was a member of the **Democratic Party** and was married to **Eleanor Roosevelt**, a prominent political figure in her own right. He had four children: Anna, James, Franklin Jr., and John. He was a dog lover and famously had a beloved Scottish Terrier named **Fala**, who became a cultural icon.

FDR died on April 12, 1945, just months before the end of WWII. He was posthumously honored with:
- **Time Person of the Year** (multiple times)
- **American Philatelic Society Hall of Fame**
- **Albert Medal** and **Médaille militaire**

### Awards and Recognition
- **Time Person of the Year** (multiple)
- **Albert Medal** (UK)
- **Médaille militaire** (France)
- **American Philatelic Society Hall of Fame** (posthumous)

### Affiliations and Institutions
FDR was associated with:
- **Harvard University** (education)
- **Columbia Law School** (legal training)
- **Groton School** (preparatory education)
- **Democratic Party** (political affiliation)
- **Roosevelt Institute** (namesake)

### Named Entities and Honors
Dozens of institutions and landmarks are named in FDR’s honor:
- **Roosevelt University** (Chicago)
- **Roosevelt Stadium** (Jersey City)
- **Roosevelt Island** (New York)
- **Franklin D. Roosevelt East River Drive** (New York)
- **USS Roosevelt** (Arleigh Burke-class destroyer)
- **Theodore and Franklin D. Roosevelt Prize in Naval History** (awarded since 1986)

### Conclusion
Franklin Delano Roosevelt remains one of the most consequential U.S. presidents. His leadership during the Great Depression and World War II reshaped American governance and global diplomacy. His legacy includes the foundation of the modern American welfare state, the expansion of federal authority, and the promotion of human rights through the Four Freedoms. His influence continues to resonate in U.S. policy, culture, and international relations.

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45. [.. the state of this nation is good, the heart of this nation is sound, the spirit of this nation is strong, the faith of this nation is eternal. Franklin D. Roosevelt. From his message to Congress, January 7, 1943.. Beeldbank WO2](http://beeldbankwo2.nl/nl/beelden/detail/5aedc034-025a-11e7-904b-d89d6717b464/media/78426f14-d9ce-67f5-c424-cc3ba2ea5ba7)
46. [Roosevelt rekende verkeerd! de vangarm van de Dollarpoliep worden afgesneden. De Joden in het Witte Huis en het goud van Ford Knox worden omsingeld door de jonge volken, door de legers van den arbeid.. Beeldbank WO2](http://beeldbankwo2.nl/nl/beelden/detail/5acba8dc-025a-11e7-904b-d89d6717b464/media/98f63ac3-252e-9187-ebec-4a89e6f27fa4)
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