FDR's Fireside Chats

Franklin D. Roosevelt (Jan. 30, 1882 - Apr. 12, 1945) was the thirty second President of the United States and the only man to serve four terms in that office. He served as President from Mar. 4, 1933 to Apr. 12, 1945. As President, he used the most prominent media of the day, radio, to inform the people of various crisis and issues of the day in his Fireside Chats. The term "Fireside Chat" came from Harry Butcher of CBS after his using the title on the air. Mr. Roosevelt elected to come to the microphone only 2 or 3 times a year, only when he had something important to say. They were typically 30 minutes in length. All Fireside Chats originated from the White House except for December 24, 1944, which was broadcast from Hyde Park, NY. The actual number of Fireside Chats is in question; depending on reference, they number 28 to 31, and could be extended to as many as 34. White House papers identify 28 Fireside Chats, but only the first 21 of the list were given a "Fireside Chat" designation.