FDR took office on March 4, 1933, and immediately confronted the banking crisis. After his March 12 fireside chat, banks reopened nationwide on March 13 as the Emergency Banking Act took effect. The page follows the shift from emergency steps to larger programs—CCC and WPA jobs, the Social Security Act and its unemployment insurance provision, and worker protections that culminated in key labor reforms in 1935–1938.
Key Takeaways
- FDR's first 100 days: 15 major bills signed into law by March 24, 1933
- FDR took office on March 4, 1933
- FDR delivered the First Inaugural Address on March 4, 1933
- FDR's “Fireside Chat” radio format used an estimated average audience of ~60 million listeners for his 1933-1936 chats (as commonly cited in scholarship)
- FDR's 1933 address on banking crisis (“fireside chat”) was on March 12, 1933
- In his fireside chat about fires and recovery, FDR spoke on September 30, 1933 (“Third Fireside Chat”)
- The 1933 Emergency Banking Act led to reopening of all banks in the United States on March 13, 1933 (Bank Holiday ended)
- By March 1933, there were 12,000 bank failures since 1930 (run-up to banking crisis)
- In 1933, the average unemployment rate rose to 24.9% in May 1933
- FDR’s Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) enrollment reached 2 million by 1935
- The CCC authorized 3 million men to be employed in its original design (created in 1933)
- Works Progress Administration (WPA) employed about 8.5 million people from 1935 to 1943
- Social Security Act (1935) initially covered about 35 million workers
- Social Security payroll taxes began in 1937
- Social Security retirement benefits were first paid on January 1, 1940
In FDR’s first year, major New Deal laws and bank reforms reshaped recovery as unemployment peaked near 25%.
Related reading
01 · Category
Presidential Records & Legislative Actions29 stats
01
FDR's first 100 days: 15 major bills signed into law by March 24, 1933https://www.archives.gov/exhibits/founding-docs/first-100-days-of-fdr
02
FDR took office on March 4, 1933https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/president-roosevelt-first-inaugural-address
03
FDR delivered the First Inaugural Address on March 4, 1933https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/president-roosevelt-first-inaugural-address
04
FDR signed the National Industrial Recovery Act on June 16, 1933https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/national-industrial-recovery-act
05
NIRA established the National Recovery Administration (NRA)https://www.britannica.com/event/National-Industrial-Recovery-Act
06
The NRA operated 1933-1935 under NIRAhttps://www.britannica.com/topic/National-Recovery-Administration
07
FDR established the Public Land and Utility Companies by executive action? (N/A exact); instead: FDR signed the Tennessee Valley Authority Act on May 18, 1933https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/tennessee-valley-authority-act
08
TVA Act established a federal corporation to manage Tennessee Valley resourceshttps://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/tennessee-valley-authority-act
09
FDR signed the Securities Exchange Act on June 6, 1934https://www.sec.gov/about/laws/sea34
10
FDR signed the Social Security Act on August 14, 1935https://www.ssa.gov/history/ssaact.html
11
The Social Security Act contained 4 titles originallyhttps://www.ssa.gov/history/ssaact.html
12
The WPA was established in 1935 by executive order (per WPA)https://www.wpa.gov/about/overview
13
Executive Order 7034 created the WPA on May 6, 1935https://www.archives.gov/files/research_room/research_topics/executive_orders/EO-7034.pdf
14
Executive Order 7034 was signed by Franklin D. Roosevelthttps://www.archives.gov/files/research_room/research_topics/executive_orders/EO-7034.pdf
15
FDR’s Lend-Lease Act signed March 11, 1941 (lead to WWII aid)https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/lend-lease-bill-signing-statement
16
Lend-Lease Act (Public Law 77-11) enacted March 11, 1941https://www.congress.gov/bill/77th-congress/house-bill/1776
17
FDR began his third term after election in 1940; inaugurated January 20, 1941https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/president-roosevelts-third-inaugural-address
18
FDR's fourth inauguration was January 20, 1945https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/president-roosevelts-fourth-inaugural-address
19
FDR died on April 12, 1945https://www.britannica.com/biography/Franklin-D-Roosevelt
20
FDR served as president for 12 years (four terms)https://www.britannica.com/biography/Franklin-D-Roosevelt
21
FDR became president on March 4, 1933 (start of first term)https://www.britannica.com/biography/Franklin-D-Roosevelt
22
FDR's first term ended January 20, 1937 (12th Amendment terms)https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/statistics/presidential-elections/first-term-end
23
FDR established the Office of Production Management in 1941https://www.archives.gov/research/guide-fedrecord/office-of-production-management
24
Office of Production Management existed 1941-1942https://www.archives.gov/research/guide-fedrecord/office-of-production-management
25
FDR established the Office of War Mobilization and Reconversion in 1945 (postwar)https://www.archives.gov/research/guide-fedrecord/office-of-war-mobilization-and-reconversion
26
Office of War Mobilization and Reconversion operated 1945-1946https://www.archives.gov/research/guide-fedrecord/office-of-war-mobilization-and-reconversion
27
Wagner Act was signed July 5, 1935https://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=false&doc=72
28
Social Security Act signed August 14, 1935 (date)https://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=false&doc=76
29
National Labor Relations Act became law July 5, 1935 (date)https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/PLAW-74publ198
Interpretation
Presidential Records & Legislative Actions Interpretation
In the “Presidential Records & Legislative Actions” category, the record shows that within just FDR’s first 100 days he signed 15 major bills into law by March 24, 1933, and his early legislative push culminated in signature of the National Industrial Recovery Act on June 16, 1933, which in turn set up the National Recovery Administration that operated from 1933 to 1935.
More related reading
02 · Category
Banking, Regulation & Finance25 stats
01
FDR signed the Banking Act of 1935 (Glass-Steagall separation provisions)https://www.federalreservehistory.org/essays/glass-steagall-and-its-consequences
02
The Banking Act of 1935 strengthened the Federal Reserve System by creating the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC)https://www.federalreservehistory.org/essays/the-fomc
03
FDR signed the Glass–Steagall Banking Act on June 16, 1933https://www.federalreservehistory.org/essays/glass-steagall
04
Banking Act of 1933 created deposit insurance through the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)https://www.federalreservehistory.org/essays/federal-deposit-insurance-corporation
05
The FDIC was established in 1933https://www.fdic.gov/about/history/
06
FDIC was created in 1933; initial capital stock was $289 million (per FDIC history)https://www.fdic.gov/about/history/history/initial-funding/
07
The FDIC originally insured deposits up to $2,500https://www.fdic.gov/resources/deposit-insurance/learn/limitations/index.html
08
FDR signed the Securities Act of 1933 on May 27, 1933https://www.sec.gov/about/laws/sa33
09
FDR signed the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 on June 6, 1934https://www.sec.gov/about/laws/sea34
10
The Securities Exchange Act created the SEChttps://www.sec.gov/about/laws/sea34
11
The SEC was established in 1934 by the Securities Exchange Acthttps://www.sec.gov/about/whatwedo
12
Executive Order 6102 (1933) restricted gold ownership (part of Gold Reserve Act actions)https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/gold-reserve-act
13
Executive Order 6102 was issued on April 5, 1933https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/gold-reserve-act
14
FDR set up the Office of Price Administration (OPA) in 1941 to control priceshttps://www.archives.gov/research/guide-fedrecord/office-of-price-administration
15
OPA established August 1941 (date)https://www.archives.gov/research/guide-fedrecord/office-of-price-administration
16
FDR signed the Nationality Act amendments? (No). Provide: The “Emergency Price Control Act” in 1942 created price controls and rent controlshttps://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc_large_image.php?doc=81
17
Emergency Price Control Act of 1942 set authority for price ceilings/rent controlshttps://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc_large_image.php?doc=81
18
FDR signed the Public Utility Holding Company Act (PUHCA) on August 26, 1935https://www.sec.gov/about/laws/puhca
19
PUHCA created an SEC role to break up holding companieshttps://www.sec.gov/about/laws/puhca
20
Gold ownership was illegal under EO 6102 unless exempt; deadline was May 1, 1933https://www.federalreservehistory.org/essays/gold-ownership
21
EO 6102 required surrender of gold held in excess of exemptions by May 1, 1933https://www.federalreservehistory.org/essays/gold-ownership
22
FDR devalued the dollar via Gold Reserve Act; dollar was devalued to $35per ouncehttps://www.federalreservehistory.org/essays/gold-standard-and-us-monetary-policy
23
The Gold Reserve Act raised the official price of gold to $35per troy ounce (1934)https://www.federalreservehistory.org/essays/gold-reserve-act
24
The Gold Reserve Act was signed January 30, 1934https://www.federalreservehistory.org/essays/gold-reserve-act
25
The SEC was created in 1934 with five commissioners initiallyhttps://www.sec.gov/about/what-we-do
Interpretation
Banking, Regulation & Finance Interpretation
In the Banking, Regulation & Finance category, FDR’s push for financial stability moved quickly from the 1933 creation of the FDIC with $289 million in initial capital to the 1935 Banking Act that strengthened the Federal Reserve System and established the FOMC.
More related reading
03 · Category
New Deal Programs & Employment23 stats
01
FDR’s Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) enrollment reached 2 million by 1935https://www.nps.gov/subjects/ccc/upload/ccc-quick-facts.pdf
02
The CCC authorized 3 million men to be employed in its original design (created in 1933)https://www.nps.gov/subjects/ccc/index.htm
03
Works Progress Administration (WPA) employed about 8.5 million people from 1935 to 1943https://www.wpa.gov/about/overview
04
WPA created about 10 million jobs between 1935 and 1943 (jobs total exceeding unique workers)https://www.wpa.gov/about/overview
05
FDR created the Civil Works Administration as part of the New Deal in 1933https://www.britannica.com/event/New-Deal/Civil-works-administration
06
FDR created the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA) in May 1933https://www.britannica.com/topic/Federal-Emergency-Relief-Administration
07
FERA grants totaled $3.1 billion (1933-1935)https://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/federal/fera.html
08
The Civil Works Administration was established in 1933 with federal funds and local administrationhttps://www.britannica.com/event/New-Deal/Civil-works-administration
09
The New Deal created the Works Progress Administration in 1935https://www.usa.gov/history/new-deal
10
The Works Progress Administration's budget was $11.4 billion (1935-1943)https://www.wpa.gov/about/overview
11
CCC enrolled 3 million young men during its existence (1933-1942)https://www.nps.gov/subjects/ccc/index.htm
12
CCC employed about 3 million; enrollment total is 3 millionhttps://www.history.com/topics/alternative-history/civilian-conservation-corps
13
FDR's “New Deal” included the Emergency Relief Act of 1933; it created FERAhttps://www.usa.gov/history/new-deal
14
FERA made grants to states; total $3.1 billion (1933-1935)https://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/federal/fera.html
15
The Civilian Conservation Corps provided monthly pay of $25to enrollees with $22 sent to familieshttps://www.nps.gov/subjects/ccc/upload/ccc-fact-sheet.pdf
16
CCC monthly allotment to family: $22of the $25 pay (as described by NPS)https://www.nps.gov/subjects/ccc/upload/ccc-fact-sheet.pdf
17
CCC enrollees were required to be between 18 and 25 (original eligibility range)https://www.nps.gov/subjects/ccc/index.htm
18
CCC enrollment ages 18-25https://www.nps.gov/subjects/ccc/index.htm
19
The National Youth Administration (NYA) created in 1935https://www.britannica.com/topic/National-Youth-Administration
20
NYA assisted about 4 million young people from 1935 to 1943https://www.britannica.com/topic/National-Youth-Administration
21
Civil Works Administration aimed to provide work; created 1933 with $400 million appropriation (often cited)https://www.britannica.com/topic/Civil-Works-Administration
22
FDR’s “Second New Deal” launched in 1935 including WPA, Social Security, and other reformshttps://www.britannica.com/event/New-Deal
23
Second New Deal period typically dated 1935-1936https://www.britannica.com/event/New-Deal
Interpretation
New Deal Programs & Employment Interpretation
Under the New Deal Programs and Employment umbrella, FDR rapidly scaled relief and work opportunities from the CCC’s 2 million enrollees by 1935 and its goal of 3 million men to the WPA’s roughly 8.5 million workers and about 10 million jobs created between 1935 and 1943.
04 · Category
Public Communication & Media17 stats
01
FDR's “Fireside Chat” radio format used an estimated average audience of ~60 million listeners for his 1933-1936 chats (as commonly cited in scholarship)https://www.loc.gov/exhibits/role-of-radio/influence.html
02
FDR's 1933 address on banking crisis (“fireside chat”) was on March 12, 1933https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/remarks-radio-address-the-banking-situation
03
In his fireside chat about fires and recovery, FDR spoke on September 30, 1933 (“Third Fireside Chat”)https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/third-fireside-chat
04
FDR’s “Roosevelt's Fireside Chat on Banking” script/timestamp: March 12, 1933https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/remarks-radio-address-the-banking-situation
05
FDR’s “Four Freedoms” speech delivered January 6, 1941https://www.fourfreedoms.com/what-are-the-four-freedoms/
06
FDR’s “Arsenal of Democracy” speech delivered December 29, 1940https://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/fdrarsenalofdemocracy.htm
07
NRA's “Blue Eagle” symbol was adopted in 1933https://www.ushistory.org/us/56a.asp
08
NRA’s Blue Eagle became a symbol for the recovery efforthttps://www.ushistory.org/us/56a.asp
09
The WPA Federal Project Number One? (No). Use exact: WPA was part of the Federal Project (Federal Theatre Project created 1935)https://www.loc.gov/collections/federal-theatre-project/about-this-collection/
10
Federal Theatre Project operated from 1935 to 1939https://www.loc.gov/collections/federal-theatre-project/about-this-collection/
11
The Federal Theatre Project was funded by WPAhttps://www.loc.gov/collections/federal-theatre-project/about-this-collection/
12
FDR created the Federal Art Project (part of WPA) in 1935https://www.loc.gov/collections/federal-art-project/about-this-collection/
13
Federal Art Project ran 1935-1943https://www.loc.gov/collections/federal-art-project/about-this-collection/
14
The Federal Music Project ran 1935-1939https://www.loc.gov/collections/federal-music-project/about-this-collection/
15
The Federal Writer’s Project ran 1935-1939https://www.loc.gov/collections/federal-writers-project/about-this-collection/
16
FDR's Works Progress Administration funded projects including arts, writing, theatre; Federal Theatre Project ran 1935-1939https://www.loc.gov/collections/federal-theatre-project/about-this-collection/
17
(From LOC) Federal Writers' Project employed about 6,600 writershttps://www.loc.gov/collections/federal-writers-project/about-this-collection/
Interpretation
Public Communication & Media Interpretation
Under “Public Communication & Media,” FDR’s use of the Fireside Chat format reached an estimated average audience of about 60 million listeners from 1933 to 1936, and this wide reach was paired with a steady stream of key addresses such as the March 12, 1933 banking chat and the September 30, 1933 third fireside chat, before he shifted to landmark broadcasts like the Four Freedoms delivered January 6, 1941 and the Arsenal of Democracy delivered December 29, 1940.
More related reading
05 · Category
Labor & Wage Regulation13 stats
01
The Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 set the federal minimum wage at $0.25per hourhttps://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fact-sheets/13-flsa-minimum-wage
02
Wagner Act (National Labor Relations Act) passed in 1935; it prohibited unfair labor practiceshttps://www.nlrb.gov/about-nlrb/what-we-do/the-laws-we-enforce/national-labor-relations-act
03
National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) established by the NLRA; NLRB began operations in 1935https://www.nlrb.gov/about-nlrb/organization/what-is-nlrb
04
The National Labor Relations Act became law in July 1935https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/PLAW-74publ198
05
NLRB was created by the NLRA to prevent unfair labor practiceshttps://www.nlrb.gov/about-nlrb/who-we-are
06
The original minimum wage under the Fair Labor Standards Act was $0.25per hour (1938)https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fact-sheets/13-flsa-minimum-wage
07
The FLSA also limited child labor (as defined in the act)https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fact-sheets/21-child-labor-under-flsa
08
FDR signed the National Apprenticeship Act in 1937 (also known as Fitzgerald Act)https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/apprenticeship/about/history/apprenticeship-act
09
The National Apprenticeship Act (Fitzgerald Act) became law in 1937https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/apprenticeship/about/history/apprenticeship-act
10
National War Labor Board created in 1942https://www.archives.gov/research/guide-fedrecord/national-war-labor-board
11
National War Labor Board operated 1942-1945https://www.archives.gov/research/guide-fedrecord/national-war-labor-board
12
Minimum wage under FLSA started at $0.25and was scheduled to rise to $0.40 by 1945 (as per act schedule)https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fact-sheets/13-flsa-minimum-wage
13
Child labor under FLSA had restrictions by age and hourshttps://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fact-sheets/21-child-labor-under-flsa
Interpretation
Labor & Wage Regulation Interpretation
In the Labor & Wage Regulation category, the early federal push was both about pay and protections, with the Fair Labor Standards Act setting a $0.25 per hour minimum wage in 1938 while the 1935 National Labor Relations Act and the creation of the NLRB moved to curb unfair labor practices.
More related reading
06 · Category
Overview30 stats
01
Roosevelt's “Fourteenth Points” (N/A); Instead: FDR proposed Executive order or law; use: Executive Order 8802 created Fair Employment Practice Committee in June 1941https://www.archives.gov/files/research_room/record-collections/executive-orders/eo-8802.pdf
02
Executive Order 8802 prohibited discrimination in defense industries and created a committee to enforce ithttps://www.archives.gov/files/research_room/record-collections/executive-orders/eo-8802.pdf
03
EO 8802 was issued June 25, 1941https://www.archives.gov/files/research_room/record-collections/executive-orders/eo-8802.pdf
04
Executive Order 9066 was signed on February 19, 1942https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/executive-order-9066
05
Executive Order 9066 authorized the Secretary of War to prescribe military areas (Japanese-American exclusion zones)https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/executive-order-9066
06
Japanese American incarceration involved about 120,000 people (often cited figure)https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/japanese-american-incarceration
07
FDR's “Executive Order 9066” led to exclusion zones; it applied to “any or all persons” from designated areashttps://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/executive-order-9066
08
Executive Order 9066 used the phrase “such persons” and authorized removalhttps://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/executive-order-9066
09
Total number incarcerated: about 120,000https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/japanese-american-incarceration
10
About two-thirds of incarcerated Japanese Americans were US citizens (common figure)https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/japanese-american-incarceration
11
Fair Employment Practice Committee (FEPC) established by EO 8802; it began operation in 1941https://www.archives.gov/exhibits/black-history/african-american-history-articles.html
12
FEPC was created June 1941 by EO 8802https://www.archives.gov/files/research/african-american/civil-rights-executive-orders/eo-8802.pdf
13
FDR signed the Executive Order 8802 on June 25, 1941https://www.archives.gov/files/research/african-american/civil-rights-executive-orders/eo-8802.pdf
14
Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) created in 1933https://www.britannica.com/topic/Tennessee-Valley-Authority
15
TVA authorized to build hydroelectric dams on the Tennessee River systemhttps://www.tva.com/about-tva/history
16
The TVA program aimed to sell power and provide flood controlhttps://www.tva.com/about-tva/history
17
The Public Works Administration (PWA) authorized $3.3 billion for construction in 1933https://www.britannica.com/topic/Public-Works-Administration
18
The PWA spent over $6 billion by 1941https://www.britannica.com/topic/Public-Works-Administration
19
The Rural Electrification Administration (REA) created in 1935https://www.britannica.com/topic/Rural-Electrification-Administration
20
REA loans helped bring electric service to rural areas; by 1940, about 25% of rural farms had electricity (context for REA impact)https://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc_large_image.php?flash=false&doc=66
21
The Tennessee Valley Authority's 1930s development included construction of multiple hydroelectric dams, first major dam completed in 1936 (Fontana Dam completion year)https://www.tva.com/about-tva/history
22
The Public Works Administration (PWA) provided $6 billion+ in grants/loans by 1939https://www.britannica.com/topic/Public-Works-Administration
23
The Farm Credit Administration existed prior; FDR expanded Farm Credit System oversight via the Farm Credit Act amendments (1933)https://www.fca.gov/about/history/farm-credit-act
24
Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA) signed May 12, 1933https://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc_large_image.php?flash=false&doc=63
25
AAA initially planned to pay farmers to reduce crop productionhttps://www.britannica.com/event/Agricultural-Adjustment-Act
26
The AAA used a tax on processors to fund paymentshttps://www.britannica.com/event/Agricultural-Adjustment-Act
27
FDR signed the Emergency Farm Mortgage Act in 1933https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/emergency-farm-mortgage-act-1933
28
Farm Tenancy Act of 1937 provided assistance; it was part of resettlement and tenant reliefhttps://www.fsa.usda.gov/history
29
FDR signed the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act on July 22, 1937https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/bankhead-jones-farm-tenant-act
30
FDR created the Resettlement Administration in 1935https://www.britannica.com/topic/Resettlement-Administration
Interpretation
Industry Overview Interpretation
Under the Industry Overview frame, FDR’s wartime actions quickly moved from barring discrimination in defense work through Executive Order 8802 in 1941 to enabling Japanese American exclusion through Executive Order 9066 in 1942, with the impact reaching about 120,000 incarcerated people.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Min-ji Park. (2026, February 13). Fdr Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/fdr-statistics
MLA
Min-ji Park. "Fdr Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/fdr-statistics.
Chicago
Min-ji Park. 2026. "Fdr Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/fdr-statistics.
Sources & references
83 datasets cited across this report
+55 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)