In this issue: The Next Installment in our Seeds of Change Civil Rights Short Film Series; Memorial Day Weekend WWII Military Displays; Roosevelt Reading Festival; A Gift to the American People; NYC Fleet Week and #TheArtOfWar; One Definite Locality.
Before FDR, Black Americans voted for the Republican Party – the party of Lincoln. That began to change in the 1930s at least partially through the influence of Mary McLeod Bethune who understood that if she helped court the African American vote, Roosevelt would have to pay more attention to their concerns.
Memorial Day Weekend Event
World War II Military Displays
Saturday, May 25 & Sunday, May 26 10am-4pm ET
FDR Library Great Lawn
In honor of Memorial Day Weekend, the Great Lawn in front of the FDR Library will take on the appearance of a World War II encampment with WWII military displays, soldiers in battle dress and period military vehicles of all sizes.
Be sure to visit the Hyde Park Education Foundation's Fifth Annual Field of Honor® next door at the Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site throughout the weekend.
The FDR Presidential Library and Museum will host the 20th annual Roosevelt Reading Festival. The day-long program will highlight the recently published work of fourteen authors – including a special afternoon presentation with Paul M. Sparrow, author of Awakening the Spirit of America: FDR's War of Words with Charles Lindbergh – and the Battle to Save Democracy.
In six concurrent sessions taking place throughout the day, fourteen authors of works that draw upon the Roosevelt Library archives – or focus on the Roosevelt era – will present author talks (and book signings). Copies of all the books will be available for sale in the New Deal Store. The program begins at 9:45 a.m. with coffee and refreshments.
Free public event. Registration is not required.
PLEASE NOTE: This program is in-person only. Sessions will be recorded for later broadcast.
Director of FDR Library, William A. Harris leads a brief tour around the Roosevelt Library, providing insights into its development and construction as well as FDR’s involvement in all facets of its planning and early operations.
(Originally broadcast July 21, 2021; 10:11 minutes)
During WWII, rosters of the US Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard leaped from fewer than 500,000 to over four million. Recruitment posters, like this one by Frank Sanfilippo, were designed to attract volunteers.
When President Franklin D. Roosevelt proposed the idea of building a library to house his papers and memorabilia, detractors believed he was constructing a monument to himself. Roosevelt, however, viewed the library as a solution to two problems – how to simultaneously preserve and provide public access to the records of his presidency.
"Whatever our individual circumstances or opportunities, we are all in it, and our spirit is good... and do not let anyone tell you anything different." FDR, Oct 12, 1942, fireside chat.
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FDR Presidential Library | 4079 Albany Post Road, Hyde Park, NY 12538
