Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882–1945) was the 32nd President of the United States, serving from March 4, 1933, to April 12, 1945. A Democrat, he led the nation through the Great Depression and most of World War II.
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.
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)
Key highlights and dated events associated with this presidency.
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Nazi Germany launched a massive armored assault through Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Belgium into France on May 10, 1940, initiating the western offensive known as Fall Gelb.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered his annual message to Congress, addressing the domestic economy, national defense needs, and the growing international crisis in Europe while urging measured preparedness.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed into law the 1939 amendment to the Neutrality Acts, allowing belligerent nations to purchase arms from the United States on a "cash-and-carry" basis.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued a proclamation declaring that the United States would remain neutral in the war that had broken out in Europe following Germany's invasion of Poland.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt directed the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard to begin a Neutrality Patrol in the Atlantic to monitor belligerent warship movements and report threats to American shipping.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered a nationally broadcast 'Fireside Chat' addressing the outbreak of war in Europe, urging calm and declaring the United States would remain neutral while sympathizing with victims.
On August 23, 1939, Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union signed a non‑aggression treaty (with secret protocols) that divided Eastern Europe into spheres of influence.
Albert Einstein signed a letter drafted by Leo Szilárd on August 2, 1939, warning President Roosevelt that recent discoveries raised the possibility of powerful new bombs from uranium chain reactions and urging U.S. government support for research.
During his state visit, King George VI spoke to a joint session of Congress at the Capitol on June 12, 1939.
King George VI and Queen Elizabeth left Washington, D.C., concluding their historic June 7–12 state visit to the United States.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt hosted a state dinner at the White House for King George VI and Queen Elizabeth during their 1939 North American visit.
King George VI and Queen Elizabeth arrived in the United States on June 7, beginning a state visit—the first by a reigning British monarch—to Washington and other U.S. cities.