This informative post will be published on Saturday in place of my regular one.  You are invited to participate with the opening question.

Brain Teaser Question

What has thirteen hearts but no other organs?

(answer found at the end of this post)

Featured Facts

During America’s challenging years of the Great Depression and World War II, President Franklin D. Roosevelt is elected to an unprecedented four terms of office.

Here are a few interesting facts about President Roosevelt:

• Political Party:  Democratic
• State Represented:  New York
• Birth:  January 30, 1882 in Hyde Park, New York
• Death:  April 12, 1945 in Warm Springs, Georgia
• Colleges Attended:  Harvard University, Columbia Law School

Franklin Roosevelt is a fifth cousin to President Theodore Roosevelt.  At the age of 39, he becomes paralyzed from a bout of polio.  He never regains full use of his legs again.

Prior to the Presidency, Roosevelt gains invaluable experience in a number of positions:

• Elected in 1910 to the New York Senate.
• Serves as the Assistant Secretary of the Navy during the Wilson administration during World War I.
• Nominated as the Democratic Party’s candidate for Vice President in the election of 1920, which is won by Republican Warren G. Harding for President.
• Elected Governor of New York in 1928.

In the Election of 1932, Roosevelt easily defeats the incumbent Republican President Herbert Hoover.  Americans desire a change in their fortunes after being overwhelmed by the arrival of the Great Depression.  Newly elected as the country’s 32nd President, Roosevelt promotes a fresh beginning for the nation through his domestic program, the New Deal.

Despite the country struggling to move forward from the economic woes of the Great Depression, Roosevelt is re-elected in a landslide victory in 1936.  As the European continent again plunges into war, Roosevelt is re-elected in 1940 and later in 1944.

Roosevelt masters his ability to use the radio airwaves to communicate with the nation.  His “Fireside Chats” can be categorized in a series of 31 speeches during his time in office.  

He appoints many women to positions in his administration.  Frances Perkins is appointed as the first woman to serve in any President’s Cabinet.  She serves as Secretary of Labor during Roosevelt’s entire Presidency.  

One of the landmark pieces of legislation passed by Congress and signed by President Roosevelt, is the Social Security Act of 1935.  This action remains a part of America’s commitment to its citizens to this very day.

The wife of the President, Eleanor Roosevelt, redefines the role of First Lady as she becomes his eyes and ears in traveling the country as parts of the New Deal are implemented.  Later, she travels extensively overseas during World War II in offering support to American service men and women.

top left and MOVING clockwise: roosevelt estate at hyde park, presidential portrait, youthful years, big three tehran conference with joseph stalin and Winston churchill, roosevelt enjoys the therapeutic waters of warm springs in georgia, Fireside Chat, with first lady eleanor roosevelt.   (Courtesy of Pinterest)

Answer to Brain Teaser Question

A deck of cards.