On This Day

Franklin D. Roosevelt Serves Four Terms as President

Franklin D. Roosevelt is the first and only President to serve four terms. In 1940, with World War II raging in Europe and the Pacific, Roosevelt agreed to run for an unprecedented third term. He was reelected by Americans who valued his strong leadership, which was needed as the U.S. entered the war.

In 1944, with the war not yet won, FDR was reelected on this day to a fourth term. Three months into his fourth term, he died of a cerebral hemorrhage.

Roosevelt’s unparalleled 13 years as president led to the passing of the 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which limited future presidents to a maximum of two consecutive elected terms in office.