Franklin D. Roosevelt

Hello. My name is Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and I had the great honor of being the president of the United States. I am known for leading our country through some very tough times with a smile and a lot of hope. My story is all about not giving up, even when things seem very hard.

I grew up in a lovely place called Hyde Park, New York. My home was surrounded by big green fields and tall trees, and I loved it. My favorite thing to do was sail my boat on the Hudson River, feeling the wind push me along. It felt like a grand adventure. I also had a fun hobby. I collected stamps. Each little stamp was like a tiny window to another part of the world, and I dreamed of all the places I could see. I had a very famous cousin, President Theodore Roosevelt. He was so full of energy and cared so much about helping people. Watching him made me think, “I want to do that, too. I want to help make people’s lives better.”

When I was a grown-up, something happened that changed my life forever. In 1921, I got very sick with an illness called polio. It made my legs very weak, and I could no longer walk on my own. From then on, I had to use a wheelchair or wear heavy steel braces on my legs to stand up. It was the biggest challenge I had ever faced. Some people thought I should give up my dreams, but I was determined. I said, “This will not stop me.” My wonderful wife, Eleanor, was my biggest helper. She always told me I could do anything I set my mind to. Going through this taught me how it feels to struggle, and it made me want to help others who were facing their own hard times even more.

In 1933, I became the president. It was during a very sad time for our country called the Great Depression. Many, many people had lost their jobs, and families were losing their homes. Everyone was scared and worried about the future. I knew I had to do something big. So, I created a plan called the “New Deal.” The New Deal was a set of ideas to create jobs for people, like building parks, bridges, and roads, so they could earn money and take care of their families again. It was all about giving people a fresh start and a feeling of hope. I also started talking to Americans on the radio in what we called “fireside chats.” I wanted them to feel like I was right there in their living rooms, speaking to them like a friend and telling them that we would get through this together.

Just as things were getting better, the world faced another huge challenge: a big fight called World War II. As president, it was my job to be a strong and steady leader, like a captain of a ship in a storm. I had to help protect our country and our friends in other countries who believed in freedom. It was very important to me that we all work together as a team. I always believed that we are strongest when we care for one another. I passed away in 1945, just before the war ended, but I never lost hope. My biggest wish was for a world where everyone could live in peace, and I hope my story shows you that no matter what challenges you face, you should always keep trying and always keep hope in your heart.