First inauguration of Franklin D. Roosevelt

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Franklin D. Roosevelt (right) and Herbert Hoover driving for Roosevelt's inauguration on March 4, 1933

The first inauguration of Franklin D. Roosevelt was the inauguration and associated swearing in of the American politician Franklin D. Roosevelt ( Democratic Party ) in the office of President of the United States on March 4, 1933 on the East Portico of the United States Capitols . John Nance Garner was sworn in as Vice President at the ceremony .

This event was the last inauguration on a March 4th, since all subsequent inaugurations were on January 20th under the 20th Amendment to the United States Constitution . This was the case for the first time in 1937.

In the 1932 presidential election , Roosevelt had clearly won against incumbent Herbert Hoover ( Republican Party ).

Ceremony and speech

Excerpt from the speech by Franklin D. Roosevelt on March 4, 1933 (coining of the expression "Fear Itself")

Roosevelt swore the oath of office on a family Bible printed in the Netherlands in 1686. It is the oldest Bible to date that was used in a swearing-in ceremony for the US President and the only one in a modern foreign language. The pages with chapter 13 of Paul's first letter to the Corinthians ( 1 Cor 13  EU ) were open.

After the swearing Roosevelt held a twenty-minute speech, one set near its beginning with the phrase "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself" in the pop culture was widely attention, so that the term "Fear Itself" to the dictum was.

“So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself - nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance. In every dark hour of our national life a leadership of frankness and of vigor has met with that understanding and support of the people themselves which is essential to victory. And I am convinced that you will again give that support to leadership in these critical days. "

- Franklin D. Roosevelt, March 4, 1933

"So first let me express my conviction that there is only one thing we must fear, fear itself - nameless, unreasonable, unfounded terror that paralyzes efforts to turn regression into progress." In every dark hour of our national life, a guidance of boldness and energy has met understanding and support from the people themselves, which is essential for victory. And I am convinced that you will give this leadership this support again in these critical days. "

- Franklin D. Roosevelt, March 4, 1933 (translation)

Roosevelt then blamed the greed of bankers and business people for the Great Depression. He then turned to the problems of 25 percent unemployment and foreign policy , naming the Good Neighbor Policy .

Individual references and sources

  1. Information on the United States Senate website (accessed March 1, 2014)
  2. Article about the speech and scan of the speech (page 1) at archives.gov (English, accessed on March 1, 2014)

Web links

Wikisource: Franklin Roosevelt's First Inaugural Address  - Sources and full texts (English)