Franklin D. Roosevelt's Milestones

Franklin D. Roosevelt was the 32nd U.S. president, led the nation through the Great Depression and World War II, enacted the New Deal, and served an unprecedented four terms.
1882

Birth

Franklin Delano Roosevelt was born in Hyde Park, New York, to James and Sara Roosevelt.

Family January 30, 1882
1896

Early education

Attended Groton School, a prestigious preparatory school in Massachusetts.

Education September 1, 1896 - June 1, 1900
1900

Harvard College

Studied at Harvard College, graduating with a degree in history.

Education September 1, 1900 - June 1, 1903
1904

Columbia Law School

Attended Columbia Law School, but left before earning a degree.

Education September 1, 1904 - June 1, 1907
1905

Marriage to Eleanor Roosevelt

Married Eleanor Roosevelt, a distant cousin and future First Lady.

Relationship March 17, 1905
1911

New York State Senate

Elected to the New York State Senate, beginning his political career.

Career January 1, 1911 - March 17, 1913
1913

Assistant Secretary of the Navy

Served as Assistant Secretary of the Navy under President Woodrow Wilson.

Career March 17, 1913 - August 21, 1920
1920

Vice Presidential candidate

Ran as the Democratic candidate for Vice President, but was defeated.

Achievement November 2, 1920
1921

Polio diagnosis

Diagnosed with polio, which left him paralyzed from the waist down; began rehabilitation at Warm Springs, Georgia.

Other August 10, 1921
1929

Governor of New York

Served as Governor of New York, implementing progressive reforms.

Career January 1, 1929 - December 31, 1932
1932

Elected U.S. President (first term)

Elected the 32nd President of the United States; began the first of four terms.

Achievement November 8, 1932 - November 3, 1936
1933

The New Deal

Launched the New Deal to combat the Great Depression, including the Social Security Act and major public works programs.

Achievement March 4, 1933 - September 1, 1939
1936

Elected U.S. President (second term)

Re-elected for a second term, expanding New Deal programs.

Achievement November 3, 1936 - November 5, 1940
1937

Court-packing plan

Proposed the Judicial Procedures Reform Bill to expand the Supreme Court, which was ultimately unsuccessful.

Other February 5, 1937 - July 22, 1937
1940

Elected U.S. President (third term)

Re-elected for a third term, leading the nation through the start of World War II.

Achievement November 5, 1940 - November 7, 1944
1941

World War II leadership

Led the U.S. through World War II as Commander-in-Chief, forging key alliances.

Achievement December 7, 1941 - April 12, 1945
1944

Elected U.S. President (fourth term)

Elected to an unprecedented fourth term as President.

Achievement November 7, 1944 - April 12, 1945
1945

Yalta Conference

Met with Churchill and Stalin at Yalta to shape the postwar world.

Achievement February 4, 1945 - February 11, 1945

Death

Franklin D. Roosevelt died of a cerebral hemorrhage in Warm Springs, Georgia, while serving his fourth term as President.

Other April 12, 1945

Founding of the United Nations

Instrumental in the founding of the United Nations, promoting global cooperation.

Achievement April 25, 1945