Story Highlights
- historical event: It is interesting that Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s fourth presidential inauguration was the only one in the last 200 years that was not held in the Capitol building in Washington, D.C.
On this day Franklin Delano Roosevelt was elected President of the United States for the 4th time. It was a historical precedent, as no other man before or after him was ever elected president more than twice. It is interesting that at first there was no limit as to how many times in a row the U.S. president can run for office. However, since George Washington refused a third term, there was an unofficial agreement that no American president was to be elected more than twice. The only exception was the above-mentioned Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Only the 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution introduced in 1951, officially introduced a rule that no person can be elected president more than twice.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) came from a famous family of Dutch origin. The surname Roosevelt was originally written as Rosenvelt, which means “field of roses”. FDR got his middle name, Delano, from his mother’s family name, which is of a Franco-Flemish origin and originally read “de Lannoy”.
Franklin D. Roosevelt was struck by personal tragedy when he was, at the age of 39, left paralyzed due to a severe neurological disease. It was usually labeled as polio (poliomyelitis), but in recent times other theories have arisen as to its exact nature.
Despite his illness, FDR achieved a great political career. On this day he was elected president for the 4th time. It was the year 1944 and World War II was still raging, although the Allied victory seemed very likely. It is interesting that his fourth presidential inauguration was held in front of the White House, because of president’s poor health. It was the only time in the last 200 years that the inauguration was not held at the Capitol building in Washington, D.C.
Unfortunately, FDR did not live long after being elected for the fourth term. He died less than three months after his inauguration, and was replaced by his vice president, Harry S. Truman.
