Loading summary
Transcript13 lines
- [00:00]
Lindsey Graham
History Daily is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Fiscally responsible financial geniuses, Monetary magicians. These are the things people say about drivers who switch their car insurance to Progressive and save hundreds because Progressive offers discounts for paying in full, owning a home, and more. Plus, you can count on their great customer service to help you when you need it. So your dollar goes a long way. Visit progressive.com to see if you could save on car insurance, Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates. Potential savings will vary. Not available in all states or situations. It's March 6, 1933, in the White House in Washington, D.C. two days after President Franklin D. Roosevelt took office, America's new first lady, Eleanor Roosevelt descends the stairs from her private quarters and walks down a long hallway. She's about to do something unprecedented, something many consider shocking or even scandalous, but she's determined to see it through. At the end of the hall, an usher opens the door to the Red Room, a parlor typically used for entertaining. Today, though, the Red Room is packed with reporters, 35 of them in all, and every one of them is a woman. This is the first time a first lady has ever called her own press conference and and Eleanor has made the controversial decision to only include female journalists. A hush falls over the room as the reporters spot Eleanor standing in the doorway. There aren't enough chairs in the cramped space, so many of them sit on the carpet or lean against the walls. Producing a box of candied fruit from a pocket in her dress, Eleanor asks the woman nearest her to pass it around before moving into the center of the room. Cameras flash as she collects her thoughts and and then Eleanor begins to speak. The reporters scribble on, their notepads, hanging on her every word. Calmly, Eleanor explains why she's called this press conference and why she has excluded men from it. She says that for too long, women have lacked a voice in America. But from now on, she intends to use these meetings to speak to women directly, and she promises to be their representative and advocate in her husband's new administration. Having delivered this brief but powerful message, Eleanor exits the Red Room, leaving the reporters to whisper and exchange excited glances. Many are very aware that they've just witnessed something momentous. Eleanor Roosevelt will become the most powerful first lady in American history and redefine the role for all who follow her. Her time in the White House will coincide with one of the worst economic depressions in history and as well as a traumatic world war, but her steady, calming presence will be a constant source of reassurance to Americans after Eleanor's first press conference at the White House on March 6, 1933. Before we get on with the show, another update on my live tour. First, the Dallas show is filling up fast right now. The three best sections are all sold out, plus one half of the balcony, which is fantastic. But if you haven't bought your tickets yet, you might want to soon. Also, more cities are being added, though we haven't finalized anything, so I'm not going to jinx it by saying much. Just know that it looks like we'll be on the road this year and I can't wait. So to be the first to know when we do announce new dates. Go to historydailylive.com to register for details. That's historydailylive.com History Daily is sponsored by Quince Watch the difference between a closet and a wardrobe. While a closet is a small space full of clothes, a wardrobe is a statement to the world that you have style and taste. That's where Quince shines. Premium fabrics considered design and everyday essentials that feel effortless to wear and dependable even as the seasons change. Like lightweight sweaters or short sleeve polos in real Mongolian cashmere bottoms and shorts in European linen and 100% long staple Pima cotton tees. These are attractive, versatile pieces built to hold up to regular wear and still look good like like the pieces we outfitted our daughter with. A new hoodie, a bracelet and some wide leg fleece pants that were the hit of winter. Right now go to quince.comhistorydaily for free shipping and 365 day returns. That's a full year to build your wardrobe and love it. And you will now available in Canada too, so don't keep settling. For clothes that don't last. Go to quince.comhistorydaily for free shipping and 365 day returns. Quince.comhistorydaily History Daily is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Fiscally responsible financial geniuses, monetary magicians. These are the things people say about drivers who switch their car insurance to Progressive and save hundreds. Because Progressive offers discounts for paying in full, owning a home and more. Plus you can count on their great customer service to help you when you need it. So your dollar goes a long way. Visit progressive.com to see if you could save on car insurance, Progressive Casualty Insurance company and affiliates. Potential savings will vary. Not available in all states or situations.
- [05:16]
Rakuten Advertiser
Don't you wish everything was more rewarding with Rakuten? Almost everything is. You can earn cash back on those new shoes you've been wanting, you can save on the next trip you book. You can cash in on groceries. Rakuten is a smart way to save money and feel rewarded when you shop your raise. Rakuten partners with all of your favorite brands across so many categories. Fashion, beauty, travel, concert tickets, electronics, restaurants and more. Just join, Shop your favorite brands and save Target, Instacart, Expedia, Macy's, Sephora, cvs. The list is long. Save online, in store and at over 22,000 restaurants. And when it's time to redeem those rewards, get your money exactly how you want it. Just choose PayPal, check built points or cash out with gift cards. So go ahead, take a trip, fill a cart, order dessert. Rakuten is a world of rewards. Join today for free. Go to rakuten.com or get the app that's R a K u T e N with verbocare Help is always ready before, during and after your stay. We've planned for the plot twists, so support is always available because a great trip starts with peace of mind.
- [06:35]
Lindsey Graham
From noiser and airship I'm lindsey graham and this is history. Daily. History is made every day on this podcast. Every day, we tell the true stories of the people and events that shaped our world. Today is March 6, 1933 the First Ladies first press conference it's late October 1932, on an overnight train in New York, five months before Eleanor Roosevelt hosts her first press conference at the White House. Eleanor lies in a bunk in a sleeping car, gazing at the ceiling as the cold fields of upstate New York pass by in the darkness outside. On the bunk opposite her is reporter Lorena Hickok. Eleanor is on the campaign trail for her husband, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Lorena has been sent to interview Eleanor for the Associated Press. But granting unprecedented access, Eleanor has asked Lorena to accompany her upstate to Potsdam, where she is traveling for a friend's funeral. As a result, Eleanor and Lorena have been speaking all day. Their conversation has been wide ranging, covering everything from the terrible economic depression still crippling the nation to the rising political turmoil in Europe. So Lorena's piece is shaping up to be much more serious than the typical interview with the wife of a campaigning politician. Privately, she wonders whether her editors will dare print it. They're expecting her to deliver quotes about entertaining, homemaking and motherhood, not economic reform or the possibility of war in Europe. But Lorena doesn't care. She's fascinated with Eleanor, who's bold, composed, confident and complex. Eleanor was born into a powerful family. She's the niece of former President Theodore Roosevelt and her own husband's fifth cousin once removed. But she's also suffered great tragedy in her life. Both her parents and her brother died when she was young. She was raised mostly by tutors abroad. She carries an air of deep melancholy, but she also shows profound empathy for others. Lorena admires this. She wants to speak to Eleanor for as long as she can, and the two women talk freely into the early hours of the morning. By the time they arrive in Potsdam, Lorena has fallen in love with Eleanor. Lorena is openly gay, but Eleanor, of course, is married to a man, one of the most powerful politicians in America. As a political insider, though, Lorena has heard rumors that Eleanor's relationship with her husband has been purely platonic for years. And if that's the case, Lorena wonders whether there's even a tiny chance Eleanor has fallen for her, too. But none of these musings are as pressing for Lorena as finishing her piece on Eleanor. And despite her earlier concerns, llirena is delighted to hear that her editors run her article, Politics and All. It turns out to be a hit with readers, so Lorena is able to convince her bosses to keep her on assignment covering Eleanor. So over the rest of the presidential campaign, the two women grow closer as they attend speeches, conventions, and rallies together. Lorena begins showing Eleanor her articles prior to publication, allowing the prospective first lady to shape the public's impression of her, and the two then begin spending time together outside of work as well, attending the opera together and dining alone in Lorena's apartment. Grateful for the positive publicity, Eleanor's husband begins inviting Lorena to join them for Sunday dinners. And while this blurs the lines of Lorena's journalistic integrity even further, she can't resist. She feels compelled to be at Eleanor's side. The two women call each other nightly on the phone and on the days when they're apart, they write long letters to one another. And as the campaign progresses, it becomes clear that Roosevelt is set to win the election comfortably. American voters are desperate for change and blame the incumbent president, Herbert Hoover, for the stock market crash and all the unemployment, homelessness, and hunger that followed. So it's no surprise to either Eleanor or Lorena when Franklin D. Roosevelt is elected in a landslide in November 1932. Following her husband's inauguration, Eleanor gives her first interview as first lady to Lorena. By now, Lorena is convinced that Eleanor should have a greater influence in in the new administration than is traditional for a First Lady. In the past, the wives of presidents have been mostly ceremonial figures. But Lorena urges Eleanor to take on a more vocal role on behalf of America's women. And heeding Lorena's advice, Eleanor gives her first press conference the next day, making a point of inviting only women reporters. Over the years that follow, Eleanor hosts hundreds of such press conferences. She she maintains her ban on male journalists throughout, ensuring that if newspapers want to cover what the first lady has to say, then they have to employ women. But although she was inspired to be more assertive by Lorena Hickok, Eleanor's relationship with her will not survive. Over Eleanor's time in the White House, the two women will slowly drift apart as Eleanor becomes a national figure in her own right. Alongside her husband, she will help America recover from the worst economic crisis in living memory and lead it through some of the darkest years in its entire history. History Daily is sponsored by Quince. What's the difference between a closet and a wardrobe? Well, a closet is a small space full of clothes. A wardrobe is a statement to the world that you have style and taste. That's where Quince shines. Premium fabrics considered design and everyday essentials that feel effortless to wear and dependable even as the seasons change. Like lightweight sweaters or short sleeve polos in real Mongolian cashmere bottoms and shorts in European linen and 100% long staple Pima cotton tees. These are attractive, versatile pieces built to hold up to regular wear and still look good like the pieces we outfitted our daughter with. A new hoodie, a bracelet and some wide leg fleece pants that were the hit of winter. Right now go to quince.comhistorydaily for free shipping and 365 day returns. That's a full year to build your wardrobe and love it. And you will now available in Canada too, so don't keep settling. For clothes that don't last. Go to quince.comhistorydaily for free shipping and 365 day returns. Quince.comhistorydaily history daily is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Fiscally responsible financial geniuses, monetary magicians. These are the things people say about drivers who switch their car insurance to Progressive and save hundreds because Progressive offers discounts for paying in full, owning a home and more. Plus you can count on their great customer service to help you when you need it. So your dollar goes a long way. Visit progressive.com to see if you could save on car insurance, Progressive Casualty Insurance company and affiliates. Potential savings will vary. Not available in all states or situations.
- [13:39]
Grainger Advertiser
If you're a maintenance supervisor at a manufacturing facility and your machinery isn't working right, Grainger knows you need to understand what's wrong as soon as possible. So when a conveyor motor falters, Grainger offers diagnostic tools like calibration kits and multimeters to help you identify and fix the problem. With Grainger, you can be confident you have everything you need to keep your facility running smoothly. Call 1-800-GRAINGER click granger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done.
- [14:09]
From Rebel Advertiser
Did you know you can save up to 70% on the best brands? Don't just by shopping. At fromrebel.com, we're talking about strollers, car seats, high chairs, espresso machines, cookware. Everything you need for way less. Here's how it works. Every single day, rebbl drops thousands of new products on the site for up to 70% off. It is a constant stream of endless deals from top brands like UPPAbaby, Nuna, Baby Bjorn, Breville, Nespresso, KitchenAid, Le Creuset, and more. But you have to act fast, because every deal is one of a kind. So if you see something you love, make sure you add to cart fast. So stop paying full price when you don't have to. Whether it's baby gear, kitchen upgrades, or a treasure for your home you didn't know you needed, Rebel has it for way less. Up to 70% less. Shop from rebel.com and save big.
- [15:17]
Lindsey Graham
It's the morning of December 7, 1941, at the White House in Washington, D.C. more than eight years after first Lady Eleanor Roosevelt began her regular press conferences. Eleanor has just had lunch in her private residence when she suddenly hears a phone ringing down the hall. It's quickly followed by another. And then another. Curious, Eleanor steps out of her residence room and is confronted by staff rushing past her, their faces pale with alarm. Before anyone can even speak to her, a cold certainty grips Eleanor. America is under attack, so she strides through the White House to the Oval Office. Inside, her husband, Franklin D. Roosevelt, is at his desk, a phone pressed to his ear, speaking in the low, measured tones to his Secretary of the Navy. As he hangs up, he turns to Eleanor, his expression unreadable and his demeanor utterly steady. He tells her that the US Military base at Pearl harbor has been attacked by the forces of Imperial Japan. Both Eleanor and her husband remain composed in the face of dire news. They exchange only a few calm words to confirm what they'll do. They don't need any more than that, though. Eleanor and her husband's romantic relationship has been over for more than a decade, the couple remains extremely close. They speak every day and confide deeply in one another on both personal matters and political strategy. And now, in the face of this catastrophe, they quickly agree that the American people need reassurance from their leaders and that Eleanor will be the first to speak to them. Ever since the success of her first press conference in 1933, Eleanor has been addressing the nation several times a week. She still speaks with female reporters at the White House, but she also makes regular radio broadcasts so she can address the American people directly. The Roosevelt presidency has coincided with a time of unprecedented unrest in the United States. The upheaval and widespread suffering of the Great Depression has only been followed by the horrors of World War II. President Roosevelt steered the American economy back to growth with his New Deal policies, but now a new crisis threatens the nation. The attack on Pearl harbor has made war unavoidable, and the administration must once again rally the spirits of Americans. So a few hours after word of the Japanese attack reached the White House, Eleanor is at the NBC radio studios in Washington, waiting in a sound booth for her cue. She waits patiently, even stoically, until the on air sign in front of her lights up. Eleanor then leans close to the microphone and begins to speak. She confirms the terrible rumors that Americans all over the country have been hearing. The Japanese attacked the US Pacific Fleet at Pearl harbor at 8 o' clock that morning. Nearly 20 vessels were sunk or destroyed, including eight battleships, and thousands of sailors have likely been killed. She says that the country is now at war and urges the public to be brave. In particular, she addresses her message to America's mothers. Eleanor herself has four sons who will soon doubtless be called up to fight. And she asks the nation's women to support their young men as they depart for war and to bolster each other by coming together in their communities to support the war effort. Only through cooperation and sacrifice can victory be secured. But Eleanor insists that America will prevail, and she ends her speech with a rallying cry. Whatever is asked of us, I am sure we can accomplish it. We are the free and unconquerable people of the United States of America. Leaving the studio, Eleanor returns to the White House, where she greets many of the women reporters who attend her weekly press conference. They have been waiting all day to speak with her and are hungry and exhausted. So Eleanor invites them into the kitchen and makes them some scrambled eggs. There, over the countertop, she speaks to them candidly about the uncertain days that lie ahead for them all. Even Eleanor cannot know what the future will hold, of course, but she is certain about one she will keep speaking to the American people as long as they are willing to listen. Her voice will be a constant source of reassurance through all the triumphs and tragedies of the war ahead. But before final victory can be secured, the nation will have to face one more tragedy, one which will strike Eleanor herself. The death of her husband, America's Commander in chief, President Franklin D. Roosevelt. History Daily is sponsored by Quince Watch the difference between a closet and a wardrobe well, a closet is a small space full of clothes. A wardrobe is a statement to the world that you have style and taste. That's where Quince shines. Premium Fabrics Consider design and everyday essentials that feel effortless to wear and dependable even as the seasons change. Like lightweight sweaters or short sleeve polos in real Mongolian cashmere bottoms and shorts in European linen and 100% long staple Pima cotton tees. These are attractive, versatile pieces built to hold up to regular wear and still look good like the pieces we outfitted our daughter with. A new hoodie, a bracelet and some wide leg fleece pants that were the hit of winter. Right now. Go to quince.comhistorydaily for free shipping and 365 day returns. That's a full year to build your wardrobe and love it. And you will now available in Canada too, so don't keep settling for clothes that don't last. Go to quince.comhistorydaily for free shipping and 365 day returns. Quince.comhistorydaily History Daily is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Fiscally responsible financial geniuses, Monetary Magicians these are the things people say about drivers who switch their car insurance to Progressive and save hundreds because Progressive offers discounts for paying in full, owning a home and more. Plus, you can count on their great customer service to help you when you need it. So your dollar goes a long way. Visit progressive.com to see if you could save on car insurance, Progressive Casualty Insurance company and affiliates. Potential savings will vary. Not available in all states or situations.
- [21:21]
Grainger Advertiser
If you're a maintenance supervisor at a manufacturing facility and your machinery isn't working right, Grainger knows you need to understand what's wrong as soon as possible. So when a conveyor motor falters, Grainger offers diagnostic tools like calibration kits and multimeters to help you identify and fix the problem. With Grainger, you can be confident you have everything you need to keep your facility running smoothly. Call 1-800-GRAINGER clickgranger.com. or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done.
- [21:51]
Lindsey Graham
Are you really buying a car online on Autotrader right now?
- [21:54]
From Rebel Advertiser
Really? I can get super specific with dealer listings and see cars based on my budget.
- [21:59]
Lindsey Graham
You can really have it delivered or pick it up. Mommy's walk kid is walking up the slide. Really?
- [22:04]
From Rebel Advertiser
Auto trader? Buy your car online. Really?
- [22:18]
Lindsey Graham
It's April 12, 1945, in the Red Room in the White House, almost three and a half years after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Eleanor Roosevelt stands before a crowd of women journalists. This is her 348th press conference as first lady. And 12 years after her first historic address. The atmosphere has evolved. No one is sitting on the floor, and male reporters have gotten used to the fact that they are not allowed in. For the women of America, though, the press conferences have become a cherished weekly event, a chance to hear their own concerns discussed on the national stage. Eleanor begins her address today the same way she always does, with a summary of her week's schedule. She feels her time is not her own, but it belongs to the American people, and they have a right to know how she intends to spend it. Then she moves on to the war. Victory is imminent in Europe, but the conflict is expected to drag on longer in the Pacific. Still, she allows herself and her audience to look to what will come next. Nothing like this war can ever happen again, and for peace to reign in the future, communication and cooperation between countries will be key. To the reporters present, Eleanor seems just as candid, composed and wise as ever. But the reporters don't know that Eleanor's mind is elsewhere. Her husband, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, is in poor health, and there is growing concern he may not have long to live. And mere hours after this press conference in the Red Room, Eleanor hears the news she has been dreading. Her husband has collapsed and died in Georgia after suffering a cerebral hemorrhage. Eleanor immediately meets with Vice President Harry Truman at the White House, where he is sworn in as the nation's new leader. The press conference on April 12, 1945, will be Eleanor's last public address as first lady after 12 years of service. She now steps aside to allow Harry Truman and his wife, Bess, fill the shoes she and her husband occupied for so long. But Eleanor won't leave public service after the war. She will be made one of America's first representatives in the new United Nations. And there, in the international peacekeeping organization she had long promoted, she will continue to serve her nation and break new ground for women in public life. Just as she did on the day of her first press conference at the White House on March 6, 1933. Next on History Daily, March 9, 1959 after industry leaders turn her away, one businesswoman takes her idea straight to children and introduces Barbie. From Noser and Airship. This is History Daily hosted, edited and executive produced by me, Lindsey Graham Audio editing by Mohammed Shazid Supervising Sound designer is Matthew Filler Music by Thrum this episode is written and researched by Owen Long Edited by Dorian Marina Managing Producer Emily Burke Executive producers are William Simpson for Airship and Pascal Hughes for Noiser.
- [25:29]
Grainger Advertiser
If you're a maintenance supervisor at a manufacturing facility and your machinery isn't working right, Grainger knows you need to understand what's wrong as soon as possible. So when a conveyor motor falters, Grainger offers diagnostic tools like calibration kits and multimeters to help you identify and fix the problem. With Grainger, you can be confident you have everything you need to keep your facility running smoothly. Call 1-800-GRAINGER clickgrainger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done. If you're a maintenance supervisor at a manufacturing facility and your machinery isn't working right, Grainger knows you need to understand what's wrong as soon as possible. So when a conveyor motor falters, Grainger offers diagnostic tools like calibration kits and multimeters to help you identify and fix the problem. With Grainger, you can be confident you have everything you need to keep your facility running smoothly. Call 1-800-GRAINGER clickgrainger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done. If you're a maintenance supervisor at a manufacturing facility and your machinery isn't working right, Grainger knows you need to understand what's wrong as soon as possible. So when a conveyor motor falters, Grainger offers diagnostic tools like calibration kits and multimeters to help you identify and fix the problem. With Grainger, you can be confident you have everything you need to keep your facility running smoothly. Call 1-800-GRAINGER clickgrainger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done.