1. Was born in an upstairs bedroom of his father's house in New York in 1882. He weighed 10 pounds at birth, which nearly killed both he and his mother. After a long labor the doctor administered an overdose of chloroform. Mother fell unconscious and turned blue for awhile, the baby was also blue and had to be saved with mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

2. Born into a wealthy, established family. Father's ancestors immigrated in 1644, mother's in 1621.

3. 4th cousin once removed of Ulysses S. Grant, 4th cousin 3 times removed of President Zachary Taylor, 5th cousin of President Theodore Roosevelt, 5th cousin once removed of his wife, and a 7th cousin once removed of Winston Churchill.

4. Had kind of a pampered childhood. Traveled to Europe often with his parents. Once went to the White House with his dad to see Grover Cleveland, who told him, "My little man, I am making a strange wish for you. It is that you may never be President of the United States."

5. Graduated from Harvard College, studied law, went into politics

6. Married his 5th cousin once removed at the age of 23. She was Teddy Roosevelt's niece, and attended the wedding.

7. It's public knowledge that Franklin had one extramarital affair with Lucy Page Mercer. Eleanor found out about it in 1920, demanded he choose. Franklin broke it off, but resumed the affair from time to time throughout his life. Lucy would come to the White House when Eleanor was not there. She was even with him when Franklin collapsed at Warm Springs, Georgia in 1944 (which is when he dies), but was quickly hustled away before Eleanor arrived.

8. No military service. Wanted to enlist during the Spanish-American war, but came down with scarlet fever. When the U.S. entered WWI he was the assistant secretary of the navy, and wanted to go on active duty, but President Wilson wouldn't let him.

9. Ran for vice president in 1920 with James Cox, who lost to Harding.

10. In 1921 he was diagnosed with a severe case of polio. He recovered from the disease, but for the rest of his life he could walk only with the aid of metal braces and two canes. More often he was carried or used a wheelchair.

11. Democrat, Governor of New York, two terms, 1929-1933

12. was a great campaigner. Gave great speeches, had tremendous energy. He was an optimist. He had suffered, like much of the country was, yet he was cheerful. His wife believed that his disease made him more sensitive to the feelings of others.
Roosevelt wasn't the least bit sensitive about his handicap. While others seemed uncomfortable with it, he would often make a joke while being lifted in or out of a vehicle.

13. 1932 election:
Hoover 15.8 million popular votes 59 electoral votes
Roosevelt 22.8 million 472 elector votes

The Democrats also won a huge majority in both houses of Congress.

elected 1932 with 57% of popular vote
elected 1936 with 61% of popular vote
elected 1940 with 55% of popular vote
elected 1944 with 53% of popular vote

14. Assassination attempt before Roosevelt had taken office: February 15, 1933. Giuseppe Zangara, 32 year old bricklayer shouted "too many people are starving to death!" as he fired 5 shots at the president-elect's open car in Miami, Florida. 4 people were wounded, the Mayor of Chicago was killed. Roosevelt was unharmed. Zangara was electrocuted in March 20, 1933.