President Obama hosts the G-8 Summit at Camp David today and tomorrow. Although many Heads of State have visited the presidential retreat since it was established by Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1942, this weekend will be the first time such a large group of foreign leaders have come together at Camp David.
FDR originally called the retreat in Maryland “Shangri-La.” This didn’t suit Dwight D. Eisenhower who stated the name was “just a little fancy for a Kansas farm boy.” As President, he renamed the compound “Camp David” in honor of his grandson David Eisenhower.
Here’s a photo of David Eisenhower at the entrance to Camp David. 10/2/60
Source: eisenhower.archives.gov
General Eisenhower informs me that the forces of Germany have surrendered to the United Nations. The flags of freedom fly over all Europe.
President Harry S. Truman, radio address. May 8, 1945
On President Truman’s 61st birthday he announced the surrender of Germany and Victory in Europe, V-E Day.
Source: trumanlibrary.org
Warm Springs, Ga. April 1939. Cigarette holder at a jaunty angle, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt sits at the wheel of his car, fielding questions at an outdoor news conference. (AP)
An exhibit of Associated Press images of American Presidents opens today at Federal Hall in Manhattan. It will be on view through 2012. More information is available here.
Source: ap.org
“Relocating A People”
This brochure, c. 1942, provided general statistics about Japanese Americans from the 1940 census. The brochure encouraged US citizens to employ Japanese Americans as they were relocated during World War II.The quote on the cover from Pres. Roosevelt says, “I am glad to observe that the War Department, the Navy Department, the War Manpower Commission, the Department of Justice, and the War Relocation Authority are collaborating in a program which will assure the opportunity for all loyal Americans, including Americans of Japanese ancestry, to serve their country at a time when the fullest and wisest use of our manpower is all-important to the war effort.”
Observing Asian-Pacific Heritage Month
To pay tribute to the many generations of Asian-Pacific Americans that have enriched our nation’s history, the National Archives at Riverside will be highlighting some of our holdings relating to Asian American history in our region (Southern California, Arizona, and Clark County, NV), including records relating to enforcement of the Chinese Exclusion Act, records relating to Japanese internment and relocation, and many more.
For more information about Asian-Pacific Heritage Month, see http://asianpacificheritage.gov/
Source: riversidearchives
FDR Opens the World Fair on Long Island, New York
On April 30, 1939, Franklin D. Roosevelt became the first president to appear on television by addressing the opening ceremonies of New York World’s Fair.
Listen to his remarks - from The Presidential Timeline
Source: presidentialtimeline.org
Equal Pay for Women - Appealing to the Board
President Franklin D. Roosevelt set up the National War Labor Board in January 1942. The Board mediated wartime labor disputes and consisted of representatives from business, organized labor, and the public. Women asked the National War Labor Board that they be paid the same amount as men would be paid for the work they were doing. This special representative’s report sets forth provisions respecting wage rates for women.
Special Representative’s Report on Retroactive Date for Women’s Pay Adjustments, 04/29/1943
(via coolchicksfromhistory)
Source: research.archives.gov
Thomas Jefferson was born on this day in 1743.
The third President of the United States and author of the Declaration of Independence lived to the age of 83. He died on the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration, July 4, 1826.
Here is the first page of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s address at the dedication of the Thomas Jefferson memorial. 4/13/1943
Read the full address here, and more about Thomas Jefferson at the National Archives.
Happy Friday and cheers to Thomas Jefferson!
Source: archives.gov
life:
April 12, 1945: Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 32nd president of the United States, dies of a cerebral hemorrhage.
Pictured: President Franklin Roosevelt listens to a speech during the annual Jackson Day fundraising dinner in Washington, DC. Originally published in the January 24, 1938, issue of LIFE.
(see more photos here)
Source: life
President Franklin D. Roosevelt Died On This Date In 1945
The pace of F.D.R’s passing was like that of his life, swift and incisive:
- At 1:40 p.m., April 12, 1945, the 32nd President of the United States signed a series of documents, and relaxed in his Warm Springs vacation home while an artist, Mrs. Elizabeth Shoumatoff, sketched him.
- At 4:35 p.m. he was dead of a cerebral hemorrage.
Newsweek April 23, 1945
Source: nwkarchivist
Harry S. Truman taking the oath of office at the White House after the death of President Roosevelt. 4/12/1945
Offering his consolation to the widowed Eleanor Roosevelt, Vice President Truman asked the now-former First Lady, “Is there anything that I can do for you?”
ER responded, “Is there anything that we can do for you? For you are the one who in trouble now.”
-from the Truman Library
Source: trumanlibrary.org
