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People
Statesmen
Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882-1945)
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Franklin
Delano Roosevelt (1882-1945). Often referred to as FDR, was the 32nd (1933-1945) President
of the United States. His main contributions were the instituting of major economic and
social assistance programs in response to the Great Depression, leading the country
through a successful involvement in World War II [Contents], and the formation of the United Nations 
.
Roosevelt was the first President to regularly address the American public through the medium of radio. He instituted a tradition of weekly radio speeches, which he called "fireside chats." These "chats" gave him the opportunity to take his opinions to the American people, and they often bolstered his popularity as he campaigned for various changes. During World War II the fireside chats were seen as important morale boosters for Americans at home. One speech he is famous for delivering was his State of the Union Address in 1941. This speech is also known as the Four Freedoms Speech. His address to Congress and the nation on December 8th, 1941, following the attack on Pearl Harbor entered history with the phrase, "December Seventh, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy."
He was elected to an unprecedented fourth term on November 7th, 1944, beating Republican challenger Thomas E. Dewey. However, during the painting of his portrait, he died of a brain hemorrhage on April 12th, 1945 and was succeeded by his Vice President Harry S. Truman. In 1951 the Twenty-second Amendment to the United States Constitution was passed, which limited all Presidents from that point forward to two terms (this was previously just a custom that was established by George Washington [People] and followed by every president up to Roosevelt).
Roosevelt's portrait appears on the U.S. dime.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882-1945)
04-22-2004