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.
Showing 12 of 415 entries.
On March 7, 1936, German troops marched into and reoccupied the demilitarized Rhineland, violating the Treaty of Versailles and the Locarno Treaties.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Neutrality Act of 1936, extending the existing arms embargo and prohibiting loans and credits to nations engaged in war.
On January 6, 1936, the U.S. Supreme Court in United States v. Butler ruled that the processing taxes and the congressional scheme underpinning the Agricultural Adjustment Act were unconstitutional.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered his annual message to a joint session of Congress, reviewing New Deal achievements and outlining policy priorities for continued economic recovery and social reform.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued a proclamation invoking the 1935 Neutrality Act to declare a state of war between Italy and Ethiopia and to impose an arms embargo and related restrictions on belligerents.
On October 3, 1935, Italian forces under Benito Mussolini invaded Ethiopia, beginning a full-scale colonial war.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt participated in the dedication ceremonies for Boulder Dam on September 30, 1935, marking the completion of a major New Deal public works project.
Louisiana Senator Huey P. Long, leader of the Share Our Wealth movement and a fierce critic of Roosevelt, died on September 10, 1935, two days after being shot in the State Capitol.
On September 8, 1935, Senator Huey P. Long was shot by Carl A. Weiss inside the Louisiana State Capitol, suffering mortal wounds that led to his death two days later.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Neutrality Act on August 31, 1935, establishing an embargo on the shipment of arms to belligerent nations and restrictions on loans and travel to reduce U.S. involvement in foreign wars.
Roosevelt signed the Revenue Act of 1935, which raised federal taxes on high incomes, large estates, and corporations to increase revenue for New Deal programs.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Public Utility Holding Company Act (PUHCA) on August 26, 1935, imposing federal regulation on electric utility holding companies.