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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Roosevelt and Churchill sign the Quebec Agreement on atomic cooperation

August 19, 1943 • Franklin D. Roosevelt

Foreign Policy

Roosevelt and Churchill sign the Quebec Agreement on atomic cooperation

At the Second Quebec Conference, President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill signed the Quebec Agreement, formalizing U.S.–U.K. collaboration and mutual control over atomic research and weapons use.

Schweinfurt–Regensburg strategic bombing mission by the U.S. Eighth Air Force

August 17, 1943 • Franklin D. Roosevelt

Military Action

Schweinfurt–Regensburg strategic bombing mission by the U.S. Eighth Air Force

The U.S. Eighth Air Force carried out a long‑range daylight raid against aircraft and ball‑bearing plants at Regensburg and Schweinfurt, suffering heavy bomber losses.

Allied forces capture Messina, completing the Sicily campaign

August 17, 1943 • Franklin D. Roosevelt

Military Action

Allied forces capture Messina, completing the Sicily campaign

On August 17, 1943, Allied troops secured Messina on Sicily as Axis forces completed their evacuation to the Italian mainland, effectively ending Operation Husky.

Allied landings on Vella Lavella (Solomon Islands campaign)

August 15, 1943 • Franklin D. Roosevelt

Military Action

Allied landings on Vella Lavella (Solomon Islands campaign)

On August 15, 1943 New Zealand and U.S. forces landed on Vella Lavella to bypass the heavily defended Japanese base on Kolombangara and secure a forward airstrip.

Operation Cottage: Allied landings on Kiska (Aleutian Islands)

August 15, 1943 • Franklin D. Roosevelt

Military Action

Operation Cottage: Allied landings on Kiska (Aleutian Islands)

On August 15, 1943 U.S. and Canadian forces landed on Kiska in the Aleutian Islands and discovered that Japanese garrison forces had secretly evacuated weeks earlier.

Allied capture of Munda Point airfield (New Georgia campaign)

August 5, 1943 • Franklin D. Roosevelt

Military Action

Allied capture of Munda Point airfield (New Georgia campaign)

Allied forces secured the Munda Point airfield on New Georgia in the Solomon Islands, concluding the Battle of Munda Point.

Operation Tidal Wave: USAAF low-level raid on Ploiești oil refineries

August 1, 1943 • Franklin D. Roosevelt

Military Action

Operation Tidal Wave: USAAF low-level raid on Ploiești oil refineries

On August 1, 1943, 178 U.S. B-24 Liberators conducted a large low-level bombing raid on the oil refineries at Ploiești, Romania, inflicting damage but suffering heavy aircraft and crew losses.

Benito Mussolini deposed; Marshal Pietro Badoglio becomes prime minister of Italy

July 25, 1943 • Franklin D. Roosevelt

Foreign Policy

Benito Mussolini deposed; Marshal Pietro Badoglio becomes prime minister of Italy

On July 25, 1943, King Victor Emmanuel dismissed and had Benito Mussolini arrested after the Fascist Grand Council's vote; Marshal Pietro Badoglio was appointed prime minister.

July 22, 1943 • Franklin D. Roosevelt

Military Action

Allied forces capture Palermo, Sicily

Allied troops secured the Sicilian capital Palermo on July 22, 1943, providing a vital port and consolidating territorial gains from Operation Husky.

Allied invasion of Sicily (Operation Husky) begins

July 10, 1943 • Franklin D. Roosevelt

Military Action

Allied invasion of Sicily (Operation Husky) begins

Allied forces launched Operation Husky with major amphibious and airborne landings on Sicily beginning the night of July 9–10, 1943, opening the Mediterranean offensive.

Congress overrides Roosevelt's veto of the Smith–Connally Act (War Labor Disputes Act)

June 25, 1943 • Franklin D. Roosevelt

Legislation

Congress overrides Roosevelt's veto of the Smith–Connally Act (War Labor Disputes Act)

On June 25, 1943, Congress overrode President Franklin D. Roosevelt's veto to enact the Smith–Connally Act, giving the federal government authority to seize and operate striking war plants and restricting strikes in defense industries.

Roosevelt vetoes the Smith–Connally (War Labor Disputes) Act

June 24, 1943 • Franklin D. Roosevelt

Military Action

Roosevelt vetoes the Smith–Connally (War Labor Disputes) Act

President Franklin D. Roosevelt vetoed the Smith–Connally Act, legislation that would permit federal seizure of striking war plants and impose restrictions on labor actions affecting war production.

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