The Franklin D. Roosevelt
Presidential Library and Museum
with support from a
Humanities New York Vision/Action Grant
presents BY ORDER OF THE PRESIDENT with
Professor of History at
l'Université du Québec À Montréal
Greg Robinson
Sunday, July 23, 2017 at 2:00 p.m.
Henry A. Wallace Center at the
FDR Presidential Library and Home
HYDE PARK, NY -- The Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum -- with support from a Humanities New York Vision/Action Grant -- presents
BY ORDER OF THE PRESIDENT with Greg Robinson on Sunday, July 23, 2017. Professor Robinson, a native New Yorker, is Professor of History at l'Université du Québec À Montréal and the author of BY ORDER OF THE PRESIDENT: FDR AND THE INTERNMENT OF JAPANESE AMERICANS. He will discuss the conflict between Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt over the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II. The program will begin at 2:00 p.m. in the Henry A. Wallace Center at the FDR Presidential Library and Home. Attendees will be invited to view the Roosevelt Library's new special exhibit, "Images of Internment" free of charge, following the program.
This is a free public event but registration is required. CLICK HERE to register.
Eleanor Roosevelt opposed internment and tried to stop FDR from issuing Executive Order 9066. Concerned about the potential hysteria against people of Japanese ancestry, she visited Japanese American communities, posed for pictures with residents, and praised their patriotism. But when she discussed the issue with FDR he rebuffed her.
After the order was signed ER did not speak out publicly against her husband's decision, opting instead to work quietly behind the scenes. But many in the Japanese American community knew of her sympathies, including her support for allowing students to leave the government camps to attend college and initiatives to permit people to leave with work releases. When Congressional critics charged that Japanese Americans in the camps were being "coddled" she helped push FDR to have them tone down their criticism.
In April, 1943 the First Lady visited the Gila River relocation camp in Arizona. She was impressed by the character and perseverance of the individuals she encountered there. In a report to the President she urged him to relax his Executive Order and allow people to return to their homes. It would not be until January, 1945, however, before the order was rescinded.
For additional information about this event please visit
www.fdrlibrary.org or call Cliff Laube at (845) 486-7745.
Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum
Designed by Franklin Roosevelt and dedicated on June 30, 1941, the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum is the nation's first presidential library and the only one used by a sitting president. Administered by the National Archives and Records Administration since 1941, the Library preserves and makes accessible to the American people the records of FDR's presidency. The Roosevelt Library's mission is to foster a deeper understanding of the lives and times of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt and their continuing impact on contemporary life. This work is carried out through the Library's archives and research room, museum collections and exhibitions, innovative educational programs, and engaging public programming. For more information about the Library or its programs call (800) 337-8474 or visit
www.fdrlibrary.org.
