| DATE | BRIEF DESCRIPTION |
| 1882 | Born January 30 at Hyde Park, New York. |
| 1904 | Graduates from Harvard University. |
| 1907 | Admitted to the New York State bar. |
| 1910-1913 | Elected to New York State Senate. |
| 1913-1920 | Assistant Secretary of the Navy. |
| 1920 | Democratic candidate for vice-president alongside James M. Cox. |
| 1921 | Stricken by poliomyelitis. |
| 1929 | Elected Governor of New York. |
| 1932 | During his campaign for the presidency he assembles the ''Brain Trust'' group of advisers. Elected President. |
| 1933 | Introduces the New Deal programme to tackle the economic crisis of the Great Depression. |
| 1936 | Elected for second term as President. |
| 1940 | Elected for third term as President. |
| 1941 | Draws up Atlantic Charter with Churchill. Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor forces Roosevelt to bring the United States into World War II. |
| 1944 | Elected for fourth term as President. |
| 1945 | Yalta Conference with Churchill and Stalin. Recommends creation of a United Nations organization. Dies April 12 at Warm Springs, Georgia. |
