First inauguration of Franklin D. Roosevelt

First inauguration of Franklin D. Roosevelt was the commencement of the first term of Franklin D. Roosevelt as the 32nd President of the United States and of John Nance Garner as the 32nd Vice President of the United States. Held on Saturday, March 4, 1933, the ceremony took place at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., during the darkest days of the Great Depression. The event is most remembered for Roosevelt's historic inaugural address, which boldly confronted the national crisis and promised decisive federal action.

Background

The inauguration occurred amidst unprecedented economic calamity, following Roosevelt's decisive victory over incumbent Herbert Hoover in the 1932 United States presidential election. The Great Depression had deepened severely during the interregnum, with bank runs crippling the nation's financial system and unemployment soaring. The Twentieth Amendment, which would move future inaugurations to January, had not yet been ratified, leaving a long four-month transition period. This period saw a collapse in public confidence, and Roosevelt's journey from his home in Hyde Park to Washington, D.C., was marked by widespread public desperation and anticipation for new leadership.

Inauguration events

The day began with a traditional worship service at St. John's Episcopal Church attended by the Roosevelt family. A procession then carried the president-elect to the White House to meet with the outgoing Herbert Hoover before they traveled together to the Capitol. The oath of office for the vice presidency was administered to John Nance Garner in the Senate Chamber by the Senate President pro tempore, Key Pittman of Nevada. The main public ceremony was held on the East Portico of the Capitol, where Chief Justice Charles Evans Hughes administered the presidential oath. Despite the cold, overcast weather, a large crowd gathered to witness the event, which was also broadcast nationally on radio networks.

Inaugural address

Roosevelt delivered his 20-minute inaugural address to a nation poised for action. The speech, crafted with assistance from advisors like Louis Howe and Raymond Moley, is one of the most famous in American history. Its most enduring line declared, "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself," directly challenging the national mood of paralysis. Roosevelt sharply criticized the failed policies of the Republican establishment and laid blame on the "unscrupulous money changers" of Wall Street. He outlined a bold vision for executive power, asserting his readiness to seek broad emergency powers from the Congress akin to those granted during World War I, proclaiming his intention to wage a "war" against the economic emergency.

Significance and aftermath

The inauguration marked a profound political realignment, beginning the Roosevelt presidency and the enduring New Deal coalition. The address immediately galvanized public opinion and set the stage for the legendary "Hundred Days" of legislative activity. Within days, Roosevelt called a special session of Congress and declared a nationwide "bank holiday", leading to the rapid passage of the Emergency Banking Act. The tone of assertive federal intervention established on March 4 fundamentally transformed the relationship between the U.S. government and its citizens, inaugurating the New Deal era. The date itself would soon change with the ratification of the Twentieth Amendment, making this the last inauguration held on March 4.

Category:1933 in Washington, D.C. Roosevelt, Franklin D., 1933 Category:March 1933 events in the United States