Top 10 Facts About Franklin D. Roosevelt

Franklin D. Roosevelt, also known as FDR, was the 32nd president of the United States, born on 30 January 1882, and died on 12 April 1945. As a world leader who took charge of the US throughout the Great Depression and helped the country throughout the biggest economic crisis in its history.

1. The 32 President of the United States.

FDR was the 32nd President of the United States, having served from 1933 to 1945. Before he was elected to the presidency, he was a New York state senator, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, and Governor of New York. As president, he is famous for having led his nation through a range of crises, like the Great Depression and World War II, which broke out shortly in his first term.

Embed from Getty Images

2. He served four terms.

FDR has the record for serving the longest of any US President, having served four terms. President Roosevelt was elected in 1932, 1936, 1940, and 1944. While popular, the fact he served these terms raised concerns. This led to the passing of the Twenty-second Amendment to the United States Constitution, which has now ensured that no president can serve for more than two terms.

3. He was paralysed from the waist down.

In 1921, long before he campaigned for president, FDR was rendered paralysed from the waist down after contracting polio and needed to use a wheelchair to move around. While President Roosevelt kept his condition largely hidden from public view, the White House was made more accessible to him, with ramps being added to make it more wheelchair friendly.

Embed from Getty Images

4. He created the New Deal programs.

Throughout his presidency, FDR was faced with the Great Depression, the biggest economic crisis in US history. His New Deal programs are credited with helping the country recover, with a range of reforms and programs that have been said to have created jobs, improved the economy, and helped many people in need.

5. He led the country during World War II.

When World War II broke out in Europe, FDR was the president of the US and, despite initially not actively participating in the war, to begin with, later commanded the US military to defeat the Axis powers. He is known to have worked closely with other famous leaders, such as Winston Churchill and Joseph Stalin, to ensure the Allied victory.

6. He used the radio to appear in “Fireside Chats”.

FDR is known as one of the first presidents to communicate directly and routinely with the American population at large through his “fireside chats” on radio, which he used to talk about a range of issues and to propose policies.

Embed from Getty Images

7. He was the first president to appear on television.

TV was a very new medium when FDR was president, but he saw the opportunity to speak even more directly to the America people thanks to it. His “Fireside Chats” moved to TV where he reached even more people.

Embed from Getty Images

8. FDR is credit with the Social Security program.

One of the more famous policies created under FDR’s leadership is the Social Security program, which to this day allows retirement benefits as well as other kinds of assistance to people who are elderly, disabled, or otherwise in need.

9. He died in office.

FDR died on April 12, 1945, while serving as president. He had been for over 12 years and passed away after his health declined for some time, which he kept secret, making his death somewhat shocking.

10. His dog, Fala, was also famous.

Fala was FDR’s Scottish Terrier and was said to almost always be with him. Fala even had his own press secretary and became so beloved that he is one of the most well-known Presidential pets, even today..

Embed from Getty Images