Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial

This memorial honours Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the 32nd president of the United States, who led the country from 1933 to 1945. Roosevelt made an indelible mark on American history, guiding the country through two defining crises: the devastating Great Depression that began in 1929, and the global conflict of World War II. His leadership during these challenging times transformed the nation and shaped modern America. The country was deep into the Great Depression when he was elected in 1933: Unemployment was sky high, with a quarter of the population without a job. Roosevelt quickly introduced a revolutionary programme known as the New Deal, to revive the economy and employment. He launched a banking relief plan, established minimum wage, created jobs, strengthened trade unions, and introduced the American Social Security system. Though his program was effective, he still had more hurdles to overcome: in 1939, World War II broke out, and the U.S. joined the war in 1941. Roosevelt then succeeded in making the United States one of the great victors of the war and reviving the country’s economy both through his program and by taking advantage of the war by increasing weapons factories. This is why he remains so popular, not only among Americans but also around the world. His memorial includes four outdoor rooms, one for each term in office. He was the first and only U.S. president to be elected for four consecutive terms. One of the sculptures depicts him in a wheelchair, as Roosevelt had limited use of his legs after being diagnosed with polio at the age of 39. The first room represents his inauguration, the second focuses on the Great Depression, the third on World War II, and the last features a statue of his wife, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. These rooms reflect the major events of his presidency, and his life. Spanning three hectares, the memorial also features quotes from the president himself.