Sunday 12 April 2009

On this date: Franklin D. Roosevelt

Less than a month before the Second World War in Europe ended, President Franklin D. Roosevelt of the United States suddenly died during a stay in Warm Springs, Georgia, on 12 April 1945.
The next day the newspapers’ list of casualties in the armed forces started with the entry: “Roosevelt, Franklin D., Commander-in-Chief […]”.
The statue of FRD which overlooks the harbour of Oslo was paid for by public subscription. It was done by Stinius Fredriksen and unveiled in 1950 by the President’s widow Eleanor in the presence of the Norwegian royal family. The President was a close friend of the Norwegian royal family, particularly Crown Princess Märtha, who, with her children, lived in exile in the USA during the war.
President Roosevelt’s friendship with another exiled royal, Grand Duchess Charlotte of Luxembourg, is highlighted in a recent documentary which is now available on DVD, Léif Lëtzebuerger… – Charlotte: A Royal at War, written and directed by Ray Tostevin.

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