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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Finland signed an armistice with the Soviet Union on September 19, 1944, ending the Continuation War and agreeing to terms including territorial concessions and the expulsion of German forces.
Allied forces commenced Operation Market Garden on September 17, 1944, an airborne and ground offensive aiming to seize key bridges in the Netherlands to open a route into Germany.
U.S. Marines landed on Peleliu in the Palau Islands on September 15, 1944, initiating a costly campaign against entrenched Japanese defenders.
United States and allied forces liberated Luxembourg City from German occupation on September 10, 1944.
Germany launched the first operational V-2 rocket attack against London on September 8, 1944, marking the debut of long-range ballistic strikes on civilian areas.
British Second Army captured the Belgian port city of Antwerp from German forces on September 4, 1944.
British and allied units liberated Brussels from German occupation, entering the Belgian capital on September 3, 1944.
Allied forces seized Marseille, France's largest Mediterranean port, concluding major port captures in the southern France campaign.
Allied troops captured the key Mediterranean naval port of Toulon following the Operation Dragoon landings in southern France.
Provisional French leader Charles de Gaulle led a triumphant procession along the Champs-Élysées and appeared at the Hôtel de Ville following Paris's liberation.
On August 25, 1944 Free French and Allied forces drove German occupiers out of Paris, culminating in the city's liberation after an uprising by the French Resistance.
King Michael of Romania led a coup that deposed Marshal Ion Antonescu, and Romania immediately sought an armistice and changed allegiance from the Axis to the Allies on August 23, 1944.