Franklin Delano Roosevelt, commonly known as FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States. He served as president from 1933 until his death in 1945, making him the longest-serving president in U.S. history. Roosevelt is well-known for his leadership during the Great Depression and World War II.
Roosevelt was born on January 30, 1882, in Hyde Park, New York. He came from a wealthy and prominent family and was educated at Harvard University and Columbia Law School. In 1905, he married Eleanor Roosevelt, who became a prominent figure in her own right as an activist and diplomat.
Roosevelt entered politics and served as a state senator in New York before being appointed Assistant Secretary of the Navy under President Woodrow Wilson. In 1920, he ran as the vice-presidential candidate on the Democratic ticket, but the ticket was unsuccessful. In 1921, he was stricken with polio, which left him paralyzed from the waist down. Despite his paralysis, Roosevelt remained active in politics and was elected governor of New York in 1928.
Roosevelt was elected president in 1932 during the depths of the Great Depression. He implemented a series of programs and reforms known as the New Deal to address the economic crisis. These programs included the creation of the Social Security system, the Works Progress Administration (WPA), and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). His leadership during World War II also played a crucial role in the Allied victory.
Roosevelt's presidency had a lasting impact on the United States. His New Deal programs reshaped the role of the federal government in the economy, and his leadership during World War II solidified America's position as a global superpower. He is often remembered as one of the greatest presidents in U.S. history.