Franklin D. Roosevelt — President 1933

President Details

President Number: 32
Years in Office: 1933 - 1945
Term Dates: March 4, 1933 – April 12, 1945
Political Party: Democratic
Vice President(s): John Nance Garner; Henry A. Wallace; Harry S. Truman

Legacy Summary

Roosevelt reshaped the federal government's role in the economy through the New Deal, creating programs and institutions such as Social Security, the FDIC, and large-scale public works to relieve unemployment and stabilize finance.

He also guided the United States through World War II, overseeing mobilization, Lend-Lease, and Allied cooperation; his four-term presidency expanded the scope and influence of the executive branch and left a lasting global and domestic legacy, though some initiatives, like the 1937 court-packing plan, provoked controversy.

Notable Actions

Implemented New Deal reforms including the Social Security Act; Stabilized banking and created the FDIC and SEC; Established large public works programs (WPA, CCC, TVA); Backed Lend-Lease and led U.S. mobilization in World War II; Elected to four terms, reshaping presidential precedent; Proposed 1937 Supreme Court reorganization (court-packing)

Timeline Entries

Key highlights and dated events associated with this presidency.

Showing 12 of 415 entries.

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United States and Mexico sign Emergency Farm Labor Agreement (first Bracero program)

August 4, 1942 • Franklin D. Roosevelt

Domestic Policy

United States and Mexico sign Emergency Farm Labor Agreement (first Bracero program)

On August 4, 1942, the United States and Mexico signed a bilateral Emergency Farm Labor Agreement—commonly considered the start of the Bracero program—allowing temporary Mexican agricultural laborers to work in the U.S.

President Roosevelt signs the Revenue Act of 1942

June 28, 1942 • Franklin D. Roosevelt

Legislation

President Roosevelt signs the Revenue Act of 1942

Roosevelt signed the Revenue Act of 1942, which raised individual and corporate income taxes and established a wartime 'Victory Tax.'

June 21, 1942 • Franklin D. Roosevelt

Military Action

Fall of Tobruk to Axis forces

German and Italian forces under Field Marshal Erwin Rommel captured the key port of Tobruk from British Commonwealth defenders on June 21, 1942.

Japanese submarine shells Fort Stevens, Oregon

June 21, 1942 • Franklin D. Roosevelt

Crisis Response

Japanese submarine shells Fort Stevens, Oregon

On June 21, 1942, the Japanese submarine I-25 shelled Fort Stevens near the mouth of the Columbia River in Oregon, causing minor material damage and no casualties.

Second group of German saboteurs lands near Ponte Vedra, Florida (Operation Pastorius)

June 17, 1942 • Franklin D. Roosevelt

Crisis Response

Second group of German saboteurs lands near Ponte Vedra, Florida (Operation Pastorius)

A second German sabotage team came ashore near Ponte Vedra, Florida, as part of the same Operation Pastorius infiltration attempt.

German saboteurs land at Amagansett, New York (Operation Pastorius)

June 13, 1942 • Franklin D. Roosevelt

Crisis Response

German saboteurs land at Amagansett, New York (Operation Pastorius)

A team of German agents landed by U-boat near Amagansett, Long Island, on a mission to sabotage U.S. industrial targets.

Roosevelt establishes the Office of War Information (OWI) by executive order

June 13, 1942 • Franklin D. Roosevelt

Executive Action

Roosevelt establishes the Office of War Information (OWI) by executive order

President Roosevelt issued an executive order creating the Office of War Information to centralize U.S. government news, propaganda, and information services during World War II.

Roosevelt establishes the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) by executive order

June 13, 1942 • Franklin D. Roosevelt

Executive Action

Roosevelt establishes the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) by executive order

President Roosevelt issued Executive Order 9182 on June 13, 1942, creating the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) to coordinate U.S. intelligence and covert operations during the war.

Japanese landings on the Aleutian Islands (Attu and Kiska)

June 6, 1942 • Franklin D. Roosevelt

Military Action

Japanese landings on the Aleutian Islands (Attu and Kiska)

On June 6, 1942, Japanese forces landed on and occupied the Aleutian Islands of Attu and Kiska in Alaska.

Battle of Midway begins (June 4–7, 1942)

June 4, 1942 • Franklin D. Roosevelt

Military Action

Battle of Midway begins (June 4–7, 1942)

U.S. Navy forces engaged and decisively defeated a Japanese carrier strike force in the Battle of Midway, fought from June 4 to June 7, 1942.

Japanese midget submarine attack on Sydney Harbour

May 31, 1942 • Franklin D. Roosevelt

Military Action

Japanese midget submarine attack on Sydney Harbour

Three Japanese midget submarines infiltrated Sydney Harbour and attacked Allied shipping and facilities, causing damage and loss of life.

Axis offensive at Gazala (Battle of Gazala) begins

May 26, 1942 • Franklin D. Roosevelt

Military Action

Axis offensive at Gazala (Battle of Gazala) begins

Field Marshal Erwin Rommel launched a major offensive against British Eighth Army positions at Gazala, west of Tobruk in Libya.

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