CBC Digital Archives

Presidential Inaugurations: Franklin Roosevelt's third term

It takes 35 words to become president of the United States. The presidential inauguration ceremony marks the beginning of a new term in the Oval Office. CBC Digital Archives has selected reports from Washington, D.C. that capture the swearing in of a new president from Franklin D. Roosevelt to Barack Obama.

With an enthusiasm usually reserved for a sporting event, reporter Hans von Kaltenborn describes the actions happening on Capitol Hill on Jan. 20, 1941. Elected to a third term, Franklin Delano Roosevelt takes the oath of office and delivers his third inaugural address. FDR led the United States through the Depression era and his speech reflects his government's success. He also speaks to the changing political environment in Europe and the importance of American idealism.
• Roosevelt was re-elected to a third term in 1940. At the time, no constitutional amendment existed preventing him from running. Consequently, he was re-elected again in 1944 for a fourth term of office. In 1947, the 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution limited the office of president to two terms.
  • Hans von Kaltenborn was a popular radio reporter and commentator for CBS News from 1928 to 1940. He was hired by NBC in time to cover the inauguration in 1941.

Medium: Radio
Program: CBC Radio News Special
Broadcast Date: Jan. 20, 1941
Guest(s): Franklin D. Roosevelt
Reporter: Hans von Kaltenborn
Duration: 27:34
Radio feed courtesy of NBC.
Photo: U.S. Library of Congress.

Last updated: February 7, 2012

Page consulted on March 20, 2013

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