Franklin D. Roosevelt

This act authorized the building of highways throughout the nation, which would be the biggest public works project in the nation's history.    » read more »

On June 26, 1945, in San Francisco, the United Nations was established. Article 111 of its charter indicated that "The present Charter, of which the Chinese, French, Russian, English, and Spanish texts are equally authentic, shall remain deposited in the archives of the Government of the United States of America. Duly certified copies thereof shall be transmitted by that Government to the Governments of the other signatory states."    » read more »

Signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on June 22, 1944, this act, also known as the GI Bill, provided veterans of the Second World War funds for college education, unemployment insurance, and housing.    » read more »

Issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on February 19, 1942, this order authorized the evacuation of all persons deemed a threat to national security from the West Coast to relocation centers further inland.    » read more »

Joint Address to Congress Leading to a Declaration of War Against Japan (1941)

On December 8, 1941, the day after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered this "Day of Infamy Speech." Immediately afterward, Congress declared war, and the United States entered World War II.    » read more »

Executive Order 8802: Prohibition of Discrimination in the Defense Industry (1941)

In June of 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued Executive Order 8802, banning discriminatory employment practices by Federal agencies and all unions and companies engaged in war-related work. The order also established the Fair Employment Practices Commission to enforce the new policy.    » read more »

President Franklin Roosevelt's Annual Message (Four Freedoms) to Congress (1941)

This speech delivered by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on January 6, 1941, became known as his "Four Freedoms Speech," due to a short closing portion describing the President's vision in which the American ideals of individual liberties were extended throughout the world.    » read more »