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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Second flag-raising on Mount Suribachi photographed during Battle of Iwo Jima

February 23, 1945 • Franklin D. Roosevelt

Military Action

Second flag-raising on Mount Suribachi photographed during Battle of Iwo Jima

On February 23, 1945, U.S. Marines raised a second American flag atop Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jima, and Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal captured the moment in a widely circulated photograph.

U.S. Marines land on Iwo Jima, starting a major Pacific campaign

February 19, 1945 • Franklin D. Roosevelt

Military Action

U.S. Marines land on Iwo Jima, starting a major Pacific campaign

On February 19, 1945 U.S. Marines began amphibious landings on Iwo Jima, launching an intense battle to secure the island's airfields from entrenched Japanese defenders.

Roosevelt meets King Abdulaziz ibn Saud aboard USS Quincy

February 14, 1945 • Franklin D. Roosevelt

Foreign Policy

Roosevelt meets King Abdulaziz ibn Saud aboard USS Quincy

President Franklin D. Roosevelt met Saudi King Abdulaziz (Ibn Saud) aboard the USS Quincy in the Suez Canal to discuss postwar cooperation, security, and access to oil.

Soviet forces capture Budapest, ending the months-long siege

February 13, 1945 • Franklin D. Roosevelt

Military Action

Soviet forces capture Budapest, ending the months-long siege

Soviet troops completed the capture of Budapest as remaining German and Hungarian defenders surrendered, concluding a prolonged siege that began in late 1944.

February 13, 1945 • Franklin D. Roosevelt

Military Action

Allied firebombing of Dresden begins

Beginning on the night of February 13–14, 1945, Allied (British and U.S.) air forces carried out large-scale incendiary bombing raids on Dresden, Germany, causing a catastrophic firestorm and extensive civilian deaths and destruction.

Yalta Conference concludes with agreements on postwar Europe and Soviet entry into the war against Japan

February 11, 1945 • Franklin D. Roosevelt

Foreign Policy

Yalta Conference concludes with agreements on postwar Europe and Soviet entry into the war against Japan

The three leaders issued final accords at the close of Yalta addressing occupation zones in Germany, the Declaration on Liberated Europe, principles for the United Nations, and a Soviet pledge to enter the war against Japan within months after Germany's defeat.

Yalta Conference opens — Roosevelt meets Churchill and Stalin

February 4, 1945 • Franklin D. Roosevelt

Foreign Policy

Yalta Conference opens — Roosevelt meets Churchill and Stalin

President Franklin D. Roosevelt joined Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Premier Joseph Stalin at Yalta (Crimea) to begin high-level talks on the postwar settlement, including the fate of Germany, Eastern Europe, and plans for an international organization.

Battle of Manila begins as U.S. and Filipino forces enter the city

February 3, 1945 • Franklin D. Roosevelt

Military Action

Battle of Manila begins as U.S. and Filipino forces enter the city

On February 3, 1945 U.S. Sixth Army and Filipino guerrilla units launched the Battle of Manila, beginning major urban combat to liberate the Philippine capital from Japanese occupation.

First private meeting between President Roosevelt and Vice President Harry S. Truman

January 20, 1945 • Franklin D. Roosevelt

Election / Transition

First private meeting between President Roosevelt and Vice President Harry S. Truman

Following his fourth inauguration on January 20, 1945, President Franklin D. Roosevelt held a private White House meeting with newly inaugurated Vice President Harry S. Truman, offering a brief personal orientation.

Fourth Inauguration of Franklin D. Roosevelt

January 20, 1945 • Franklin D. Roosevelt

Election / Transition

Fourth Inauguration of Franklin D. Roosevelt

Franklin D. Roosevelt was sworn in for an unprecedented fourth term as President and delivered his fourth inaugural address on the Capitol steps in Washington, D.C.

Annual Message to Congress (State of the Union)

January 3, 1945 • Franklin D. Roosevelt

Speech

Annual Message to Congress (State of the Union)

Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered his 1945 annual message to Congress outlining postwar objectives, economic reconversion measures, and support for an international organization to maintain peace.

Roosevelt delivers 1944 Christmas radio address

December 25, 1944 • Franklin D. Roosevelt

Speech

Roosevelt delivers 1944 Christmas radio address

On December 25, 1944, President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered a nationwide Christmas radio address reflecting on the progress of the war and the United Nations' postwar goals.

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