Toga Birthday for FDR! Franklin Roosevelt’s harsher critics sometimes compared him to a dictator. In 1934, the President and his staff turned this into a lighthearted joke at FDR’s 52nd birthday party. The party was held on January 30, 1934 at the White House by members of the Cuff Links Gang, a group of longtime political advisers and friends who joined Roosevelt every year for his birthday. The 1934 party had a “Caesarian” theme, with guests wearing togas and centurion costumes.  Suffragette Marion Dickerman, a friend of the Roosevelts, wore a muslin toga costume that’s now at the FDR Library. In the photo, FDR, as “Caesar,” is surrounded by friends, family members, and close advisers, including Eleanor Roosevelt (as the “Delphic Oracle”). Dickerman is standing at the far right. Just below her is Louis Howe, FDR’s longtime political adviser, dressed as a member of the Praetorian Guard. This photo will be in exhibit opening this Spring: The Roosevelts: Public Figures, Private Lives. Happy Birthday Franklin D. Roosevelt January 30, 1882 - April 12, 1945
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Toga Birthday for FDR!

Franklin Roosevelt’s harsher critics sometimes compared him to a dictator. In 1934, the President and his staff turned this into a lighthearted joke at FDR’s 52nd birthday party.

The party was held on January 30, 1934 at the White House by members of the Cuff Links Gang, a group of longtime political advisers and friends who joined Roosevelt every year for his birthday. The 1934 party had a “Caesarian” theme, with guests wearing togas and centurion costumes.  Suffragette Marion Dickerman, a friend of the Roosevelts, wore a muslin toga costume that’s now at the FDR Library.

In the photo, FDR, as “Caesar,” is surrounded by friends, family members, and close advisers, including Eleanor Roosevelt (as the “Delphic Oracle”). Dickerman is standing at the far right. Just below her is Louis Howe, FDR’s longtime political adviser, dressed as a member of the Praetorian Guard.

This photo will be in exhibit opening this Spring: The Roosevelts: Public Figures, Private Lives.

Happy Birthday Franklin D. Roosevelt

January 30, 1882 - April 12, 1945

Source: fdrlibrary.marist.edu