1932 and President Roosevelt "I pledge you, I pledge myself, to a new deal for the American people.” Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1932 after accepting the Democratic nominations
Dec 16, 2015
1932 and President Roosevelt"I pledge you, I pledge myself, to a new deal for the American people.”
Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1932after accepting the Democratic nominations
What was it?
Franklin D. Roosevelt had a secret that he kept from the public at large for much of his presidency.
FDR & PolioContracted while vacationing in Canada in 1921
August 10th – Tired with chills and abdominal pains.August 11th – AM: Leg weak
PM: Leg completely paralyzed. Other leg weakAugust 12th – Both legs paralyzed with no sensitivity.
Paralysis spread upwards preventing urination for several days to come. August 13th – Paralyzed from the chest down.August 25th – Entire body paralyzed.
Paralysis in parts of his face.
A slow recovery would begin in mid-September
FDR & PolioParalytic polio occurs in .1% to 2% of polio cases.
Virus enters the body, leaves the intestinal tracts, enters and spreads through your blood stream .
1928 v. 1932
Why the change?Americans were tired of Republican leadership after a decade
of Harding, Coolidge, and Hoover.
“I'm just afraid that I may not have the strength to do this job.
After you leave me tonight, Jimmy, I am going to pray. I am going to pray that God will help me, that he will
give me the strength and the guidance to do this job and to do it right. I hope that you will pray for
me, too, Jimmy.”
FDR talking to his son, James, following his victory over President Hoover