Originally called Armistice Day, November 11th, commemorates the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I.  The “Great War” formally ended 90 years ago today, on the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month in 1918.  Sadly, news of the wars end did not reach many non-European fighting fronts due to poor communications, notably across Africa, for up to two weeks.

After World War II, President Eisenhower signed a bill into law in 1954 to rename the day Veterans Day. 

So to every veteran who served America…We Thank You. 

Images – from personal collection   ©2008, Jon Rochetti  _________________________________________________

Post from: The DC Traveler

Growing up in upstate New York, FDR won a seat on the New York State Senate and later was appointed Assistant Secretary of the Navy by President Woodrow Wilson in 1913.

In 1920, he ran for Vice President with Ohio Governor and Presidential hopeful James Cox, but was crushed by Republican Warren Harding.  

The following year, while on vacation he became ill from polio, resulting in permanent paralysis from the waist down, leaving him almost incapable of walking unaided. Years later while President, he helped found the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, now called The March of Dimes.

By 1928, feeling much recovered, he ran and won the New York Governors race, and then won a second term.

In 1932,  he ran for President on a “New Deal” platform pledging to end the Great Depression and unseated incumbent President Herbert Hoover.

At that time, 1 in 4 Americans were out of work and FDR blamed the crisis on banker’s greed which led to runs on the banks. In his inaugural address he used the now famous phrase “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself,” and pledged to start government programs to get people back to work. 

Economic relief measures included passing new legislation controlling business and forming multiple agencies designed to “prime the pump” (deficit spending) by creating jobs through public works projects. New agencies popped up across the nation including the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), the Public Works Administration, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and the Works Progress Administration (WPA), which when combined put millions of Americans back to work, but also doubled the national debt.  But unemployment rates dropped from just under 25% in 1933, to less than 10% immediately before America entered World War II when millions of American men were drafted into the Armed Services.

Roosevelt won a second term with 60% of the popular vote in 1936. Four years later, he won an unprecedented 3rd term, during which World War II took up most of his and the nation’s attention. 

In 1944, he won his fourth term. at that time, there was no limit to the number of terms a President could hold, only a silent acceptance that a President would step down after his second term.  In poor health by this time, he died on April 12, 1945 after suffering a massive brain hemorrhage while on vacation in Georgia.   

Dedicated in 1997, the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial was designed by Lawrence Halprin and is spread over 7½ acres. It’s one of the most elaborate memorials in terms of space use, concept and message.

The memorial honors one of America’s greatest Presidents across four unique rooms or areas, each depicting a different periods in Roosevelt’s Presidency. Using statues, reflecting moments in time, famous FDR quotes, open space and five waterfalls, the space tells the historical story, of each of FDR’s terms in office, from the depression to the New Deal and economic recovery, through World War II and ending at Roosevelt’s death in 1945. 

Some of the many statues include one of his wife, Eleanor, The Breadline (the most popular photo op), The Fireside Chat depicting an American listing to one of FRD’s many radio broadcasts, one of FRD with his dog Fala, and another in his wheelchair.

More than 20 of his quotes are inscribed throughout the memorial.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
Between Ohio Drive, SW and the Tidal Basin, between East and West Basin Dr. SE
Washington, DC,  (map it)

Dates and Times – open daily.

Tickets – Free, tickets are not required.

Nearest Metro Subway Station – Smithsonian, Blue and Orange lines, then a 10 block walk.

Parking – Street parking is available, but limited.

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Post from: The DC Traveler

So if you only have one or two days in the Washington DC area for sightseeing, I think this list covers the most popular sites to visit.

I’ll post detailed articles on all of these must-see icons and sites in the coming weeks, but here’s my Top Ten DC Must-See Attractions List…. (in no particular order):

1.  The U.S. Capitol
2.  The Washington Monument
3.  The White House
4.  The Smithsonian Institute Museums – all 15 of the DC area museums – here’s a link to an article on just one of the museums, the new Air & Space Museum near Dulles airport by my friend Mary Jo who writes Fly Away Café.
5.  Lincoln Memorial
6.  Jefferson Memorial
7.  Arlington Cemetery
8.  Vietnam Veterans Memorial
9.  National Archives
10.  National World War II Memorial
11.  The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum
12.  Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
13.  Library of Congress
14.  Korean War Veterans Memorial
15.  George Washington’s Mount Vernon
16.  The National Zoo
17.  Ford’s Theater
18.  Washington National Cathedral
19.  The International Spy Museum
20.  Great Falls National Park
21.  The Reflecting Pool on The National Mall
22.  Bureau of Engraving and Printing
23.  The Pentagon
24.  The Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima Memorial)
25.  The many wonderful DC restaurants

Okay…It’s obvious I wasn’t able to keep my must-see tourist attractions list to only ten places. In fact, it was impossible to keep it under twenty.   I think that demonstrates that there is so much to see and do in Washington DC. Plus, my list only covers the most popular tourist attractions.

There’s so much more to do – music, events, festivals, sports, the arts…and then there’s the food. Washington DC’s rich and culturally diverse population makes it one of the easiest cities in the U.S. to great restaurants serving fantastic foods from around the world.

Care to add to my Top Ten List?  Post your additions now!  Simply click on the “No Comments/Comments” link at the bottom of the article or click on the main title of this article and leave your comments at the bottom.

Post from: The DC Traveler