April 12
Roosevelt's New Deal coalition dominated American politics for two decades. Elected at the very depths of the Great Depression, FDR entered office under the campaign theme song "Happy Days Are Here Again." His first 100 days were a whirlwind of activity against which all subsequent administrations have been measured. Despite the polio that required him to use crutches or a wheelchair, Roosevelt's never-ending optimism revived the spirit of the nation. As Europe plunged into war in 1939, Roosevelt at first maintained neutrality but soon gave today's equivalent of $650 billion in aid to Great Britain, the Soviet Union, China, and other nations. After America entered the war itself in December 1941, Roosevelt oversaw the transformation of the United States into the "Arsenal of Democracy" that led to the defeat of Nazi Germany, Italy, and Japan.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Quote of the day
"We must remember that any oppression, any injustice, any hatred, is a wedge designed to attack our civilization." –Franklin D. Roosevelt
"The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today. Let us move forward with strong and active faith." –Franklin D. Roosevelt
More from West Wing Reports...
-
'A symbol of the faceless corporate desire'Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Say farewell to summer at these underrated US lakesThe Week Recommends Have one last blast
-
Truck drivers are questioning the Trump administration's English mandateTalking Points Some have praised the rules, others are concerned they could lead to profiling
