Franklin D. Roosevelt's Milestones
Birth
Franklin Delano Roosevelt was born in Hyde Park, New York, to James and Sara Roosevelt.
Early education
Attended Groton School, a prestigious preparatory school in Massachusetts.
Harvard College
Studied at Harvard College, graduating with a degree in history.
Columbia Law School
Attended Columbia Law School, but left before earning a degree.
Marriage to Eleanor Roosevelt
Married Eleanor Roosevelt, a distant cousin and future First Lady.
New York State Senate
Elected to the New York State Senate, beginning his political career.
Assistant Secretary of the Navy
Served as Assistant Secretary of the Navy under President Woodrow Wilson.
Vice Presidential candidate
Ran as the Democratic candidate for Vice President, but was defeated.
Polio diagnosis
Diagnosed with polio, which left him paralyzed from the waist down; began rehabilitation at Warm Springs, Georgia.
Governor of New York
Served as Governor of New York, implementing progressive reforms.
Elected U.S. President (first term)
Elected the 32nd President of the United States; began the first of four terms.
The New Deal
Launched the New Deal to combat the Great Depression, including the Social Security Act and major public works programs.
Elected U.S. President (second term)
Re-elected for a second term, expanding New Deal programs.
Court-packing plan
Proposed the Judicial Procedures Reform Bill to expand the Supreme Court, which was ultimately unsuccessful.
Elected U.S. President (third term)
Re-elected for a third term, leading the nation through the start of World War II.
World War II leadership
Led the U.S. through World War II as Commander-in-Chief, forging key alliances.
Elected U.S. President (fourth term)
Elected to an unprecedented fourth term as President.
Yalta Conference
Met with Churchill and Stalin at Yalta to shape the postwar world.
Death
Franklin D. Roosevelt died of a cerebral hemorrhage in Warm Springs, Georgia, while serving his fourth term as President.
Founding of the United Nations
Instrumental in the founding of the United Nations, promoting global cooperation.