Tales of Things

Creator: Burnham2 on 1 Apr 2015, 4:36 a.m.

At his inauguration on March of 1933, FDR tells the crowd, "The people of the United States have not failed. In their need they have registered a mandate that they want direct, vigorous action. They have asked for discipline and direction under leadership. They have made me the present instrument of their wishes. In the spirit of the gift I take it." He attempts to hit a "reset button and announces a four-day bank holiday to begin on Monday, March 6. During that time he promises, Congress will work on coming up with a plan to save the failing banking industry. By March 9, Congress passes the Emergency Banking Act of 1933. By month's end, three-quarters of the nation's closed banks will be back in business. On March 12, FDR delivers the first of what came to be known as his "fireside chats." In his initial "chat" he appeals to the nation to join him in "banishing fear."