Birth of Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt was born on January 30, 1882, in Hyde Park, New York, to James Roosevelt and Sara Ann Delano Roosevelt.
1882
1900
Enrollment at Harvard University
Franklin D. Roosevelt enrolled at Harvard University, where he studied history, economics, and political science. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1903.
1905
Marriage to Eleanor Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt married his fifth cousin once removed, Eleanor Roosevelt, on March 17, 1905. Eleanor would later become a significant political figure and activist in her own right.
1910
Elected to New York State Senate
Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected to the New York State Senate, representing the Democratic Party. His service began his long career in public service.
1913
Appointed Assistant Secretary of the Navy
President Woodrow Wilson appointed Franklin D. Roosevelt as Assistant Secretary of the Navy, a position he held until 1920. This role gave him significant administrative experience and a deep understanding of naval affairs.
1920
Vice Presidential Candidacy
Franklin D. Roosevelt was the Democratic nominee for Vice President of the United States, running alongside presidential candidate James M. Cox. They were defeated by the Republican ticket of Warren G. Harding and Calvin Coolidge.
1921
Diagnosed with Polio
Franklin D. Roosevelt was diagnosed with polio in 1921, which left him permanently paralyzed from the waist down. Despite his disability, he remained active in politics.
1928
Elected Governor of New York
Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected Governor of New York in 1928, where he implemented progressive policies to combat the effects of the Great Depression in the state.
1932
Elected President of the United States
Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected the 32nd President of the United States, defeating incumbent Herbert Hoover. He promised a "New Deal" to help the country recover from the Great Depression.
1933
Inauguration and New Deal Implementation
Franklin D. Roosevelt was inaugurated as President on March 4, 1933. He immediately began implementing the New Deal, a series of programs and reforms designed to provide relief, recovery, and reform to the American economy.
1935
Social Security Act Signed
Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law on August 14, 1935, establishing a system of old-age benefits and unemployment insurance.
1940
Elected to Third Term as President
Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected to an unprecedented third term as President of the United States, reflecting his continued popularity and leadership during a time of global crisis.
1941
Pearl Harbor Attack and U.S. Entry into World War II
On December 7, 1941, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, leading Franklin D. Roosevelt to ask Congress to declare war on Japan the following day, marking the United States' entry into World War II.
1944
Elected to Fourth Term as President
Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected to a fourth term as President, becoming the only U.S. President to serve more than two terms. His leadership was crucial during the final years of World War II.
1945
Death of Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt died on April 12, 1945, in Warm Springs, Georgia, just months before the end of World War II. His death marked the end of an era in American politics.
