(1933–1945) and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States
during a time of worldwide economic crisis
and world war
. The only American president elected to more than two terms, he facilitated a durable coalition that realigned American politics for decades.
1933 In Miami, Florida, Giuseppe Zangara attempts to assassinate President-elect Franklin D. Roosevelt, but instead shoots Chicago, Illinois Mayor Anton J. Cermak, who dies of his wounds on March 6, 1933.
1933 Great Depression: President Franklin D. Roosevelt declares a "bank holiday", closing all U.S. banks and freezing all financial transactions.
1933 Great Depression: President Franklin D. Roosevelt submits the Emergency Banking Act to Congress, the first of his New Deal policies.
1933 Great Depression: Franklin D. Roosevelt addresses the nation for the first time as President of the United States. This was also the first of his "fireside chats".
1933 Great Depression: Banks in the U.S. begin to re-open after President Franklin D. Roosevelt mandates a "bank holiday".
1933 Giuseppe Zangara is executed in Florida's electric chair for fatally shooting Anton Cermak in an assassination attempt against President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
1933 New Deal: President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs an act creating the Tennessee Valley Authority.
1934 New Deal: U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs the Securities Act of 1933 into law, establishing the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
1934 President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs the Federal Credit Union Act, which establishes credit unions.
1935 The National Labor Relations Act, which governs labor relations in the United States, is signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
I pledge you, I pledge myself, to a New Deal|new deal for the American people.
Confidence... thrives on honesty, on honor, on the sacredness of obligations, on faithful protection and on unselfish performance. Without them it cannot live.
Happiness lies not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort.
There seems to be no question that [Mussolini] is really interested in what we are doing and I am much interested and deeply impressed by what he has accomplished and by his evidenced honest purpose of restoring Italy.
I don't mind telling you in confidence that I am keeping in fairly close touch with that admirable Italian gentleman.