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Norman Rockwell: Imagining Freedom

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    • About the Exhibition
    • Rockwell’s Four Freedoms
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    • PAST THEME: The War Generation
    • PAST THEME: FDR’s Four Freedoms
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Interactive Timeline

The interactive timeline below depicts important events and milestones relevant to this exhibition, from the period of the early 1930’s through today.  Events are tracked across three categories:

Franklin D. Roosevelt

Norman Rockwell 

world events

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The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Roosevelt’s New Deal

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Roosevelt’s New Deal

1933 / 1930s

The largest project launched in the first hundred days of Roosevelt’s first term

Japan announces its withdrawal

Japan announces its withdrawal

1933 / 1930s

Withdrawal from the League of Nations after a resolution is passed declaring the Japanese occupation of Manchuria illegal

Franklin D. Roosevelt becomes the 32nd President of the United States of America
Franklin D. Roosevelt becomes the 32nd President of the United States of America

Franklin D. Roosevelt becomes the 32nd President of the United States of America

March 4, 1933 / 1930s

During his speech, FDR utters this now famous line, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”

President Roosevelt gives the first “Fireside Chat”
President Roosevelt gives the first “Fireside Chat”

President Roosevelt gives the first “Fireside Chat”

March 12, 1933 / 1930s

Broadcasting from the White House, Washington, D.C.

The first of many ‘fireside chats’ –  FDR declares a “bank holiday,” temporarily closing all national banks and meets with Congress to discuss the Bank Crisis 

Photo: Public Domain

 

President Hindenburg appoints Adolf Hitler chancellor of the German republic
President Hindenburg appoints Adolf Hitler chancellor of the German republic

President Hindenburg appoints Adolf Hitler chancellor of the German republic

March 21, 1933 12:00 am / 1930s
FDR – “Fireside Chat”

FDR – “Fireside Chat”

May 7, 1933 / 1930s

President Roosevelt’s “Fireside Chat” – Outlining the New Deal Program

Radio Address of the President:

To you, the people of this country, all of us, the Members of the Congress and the members of this Administration owe a profound debt of gratitude. Throughout the depression you have been patient. You have granted us wide powers, you have encouraged us with a wide-spread approval of our purposes. Every ounce of strength and every resource at our command we have devoted to the end of justifying your confidence. We are encouraged to believe that a wise and sensible beginning has been made. In the present spirit of mutual confidence and mutual encouragement we go forward.- President Franklin D. Roosevelt
FDR “Fireside Chat”

FDR “Fireside Chat”

July 24, 1933 / 1930s

First Hundred Days: The Purposes and Foundations of the Recovery Program 

 

Prohibition Ends
Prohibition Ends

Prohibition Ends

December 5, 1933 / 1930s

Prohibition is lifted in the USA when the Twenty-First Amendment repeals the Eighteenth, which has been in force for 13 years.

Mrs. Roosevelt helps to launch a campaign by women
Mrs. Roosevelt helps to launch a campaign by women

Mrs. Roosevelt helps to launch a campaign by women

January 15, 1934 / 1930s

A women run campaign for the Roosevelt Administration’s recovery projects in the Democratic National Committee.

Photo Credit:  Mrs. Roosevelt in Puerto Rico – with fellow friends and feminists, including, Emma Bugbee, a journalist who covered the First Lady, as a reporter and friend. Bugbee’s reporting helped to promote the Roosevelt administration in a positive light

Photo: Courtesy of the FDR Library Photograph Collection

 

 

President Roosevelt encourages “Birthday Balls” 
President Roosevelt encourages “Birthday Balls” 

President Roosevelt encourages “Birthday Balls” 

January 30, 1934 / 1930s

President Roosevelt uses his birthday to encourage Americans to host “Birthday Balls” to raise awareness and money for the Georgia Warm Springs Foundation – founded in 1927 as a polio rehabilitation center.

Photo: Courtesy of the FDR Library Photograph Collection

“Fireside Chat”
“Fireside Chat”

“Fireside Chat”

June 28, 1934 / 1930s

President Roosevelt’s “Fireside Chat” on the merits of the recovery program 

Photo: Public Domain

FDR “Fireside Chat”
FDR “Fireside Chat”

FDR “Fireside Chat”

September 30, 1934 / 1930s

President Roosevelt delivers “Fireside Chat” on Moving Forward to Greater Freedom and Security

Photo: Public Domain

Rockwell’s “Tiny Tim and Bob Cratchit,” published cover
Rockwell’s “Tiny Tim and Bob Cratchit,” published cover

Rockwell’s “Tiny Tim and Bob Cratchit,” published cover

December 15, 1934 12:00 am / 1930s

Tiny Tim and Bob Cratchit (God Bless Us Everyone), Norman Rockwell. 1934. Oil on canvas, 55” x 31” Cover illustration for The Saturday Evening Post, December 15, 1934 ©1934 SEPS: Licensed by Curtis Publishing, Indianapolis, IN

Mrs. Roosevelt is the honored guest at the Cause and Cure of War Conference
Mrs. Roosevelt is the honored guest at the Cause and Cure of War Conference

Mrs. Roosevelt is the honored guest at the Cause and Cure of War Conference

January 22, 1935 / 1930s

Photo: Public Domain

This year President Roosevelt’s annual “Birthday-Balls” celebration
This year President Roosevelt’s annual “Birthday-Balls” celebration

This year President Roosevelt’s annual “Birthday-Balls” celebration

January 30, 1935 / 1930s

Fundraising money to be given to local infantile paralysis treatment centers across the country and to medical research to find a cure

Photo: Courtesy of the FDR Library

FDR – “Fireside Chat”
FDR – “Fireside Chat”

FDR – “Fireside Chat”

April 28, 1935 / 1930s

Works Progress Administration and Social Security

President Roosevelt speaks on the establishment of the work relief program, which includes the structure of Social Security

Photo: Public Domain

Roosevelt signs the Social Security Act into law
Roosevelt signs the Social Security Act into law

Roosevelt signs the Social Security Act into law

August 14, 1935 / 1930s

Photo: Public Domain

First meeting of the Social Security Board
First meeting of the Social Security Board

First meeting of the Social Security Board

September 14, 1935 / 1930s

The Social Security operations was made up of three operating bureaus: Public Assistance, Unemployment Compensation, and Old-Age Benefits 

Photo: Courtesy of SSA History Museum & Archives.

President Roosevelt & the leader of the NAACP

President Roosevelt & the leader of the NAACP

January 2, 1936 / 1930s

Mrs. Roosevelt secures a meeting with Walter White, leader of the NAACP, and President Roosevelt

President Roosevelt gives a speech at the American Museum of Natural History
President Roosevelt gives a speech at the American Museum of Natural History

President Roosevelt gives a speech at the American Museum of Natural History

January 19, 1936 / 1930s

A dedication ceremony of the Theodore Roosevelt Wing – New York

Theodore Roosevelt is seen here pointing out his explorations

Photo: Creative Commons

Photo Credit: Theodore Roosevelt

Social Security (SS-5) applications
Social Security (SS-5) applications

Social Security (SS-5) applications

1936 / 1930s

Postal carriers delivering Social Security (SS-5) application forms

Photo: Courtesy of SSA History Museum & Archives

Rockwell illustrates the Heritage Press Edition of “Tom Sawyer”
Rockwell illustrates the Heritage Press Edition of “Tom Sawyer”

Rockwell illustrates the Heritage Press Edition of “Tom Sawyer”

March 6, 1936 / 1930s

Tom Sawyer “Well, I don’t see why I oughtn’t to like it.” , Norman Rockwell. 1936
Oil on canvas, 17.5 x 13.75″ Illustration for The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, 1936

Movie “Starlet and Reporters” published cover
Movie “Starlet and Reporters” published cover

Movie “Starlet and Reporters” published cover

May 7, 1936 / 1930s

Movie Starlet and Reporters, 1936. Cover illustration for The Saturday Evening Post, March 7 1936. ©1936 SEPS: Licensed by Curtis Publishing, Indianapolis, IN.

“Love Ouanga” – Illustration
“Love Ouanga” – Illustration

“Love Ouanga” – Illustration

1936 / 1930s

Love Ouanga ‘Spice slumped on a bench…’, Norman Rockwell. 1945 Oil on canvas, 30 x 62″ Illustration for American Magazine, June 1936. Collection of the National Museum of American Illustration

FDR “Fireside Chat”
FDR “Fireside Chat”

FDR “Fireside Chat”

September 6, 1936 / 1930s

Drought Conditions and the Plight of Farmers 

Photo: Courtesy of Library of Congress (Harris & Ewing, photographer)

FDR is elected for a second US presidential term with an increased share of the vote
FDR is elected for a second US presidential term with an increased share of the vote

FDR is elected for a second US presidential term with an increased share of the vote

November 3, 1936 / 1930s

Photo: Public Domain

President Roosevelt orders two battleships to be built
President Roosevelt orders two battleships to be built

President Roosevelt orders two battleships to be built

January 8, 1937 / 1930s

In response to foreign powers decline to renew treaties limiting navel armaments

Photo of USS Yorktown – example of Battleship to be built

Photo: Courtesy of the Naval History and Heritage Command

President Roosevelt appoints Thomas Edison’s son, Charles Edison
President Roosevelt appoints Thomas Edison’s son, Charles Edison

President Roosevelt appoints Thomas Edison’s son, Charles Edison

January 18, 1937 / 1930s

FDR appoints, Charles Edison, Assistant Secretary of the Navy

Photo: Public Domain

Photo Credit: Charles Edison

Norman Rockwell creates 13-foot-wide Yankee Doodle Mural for Nassau Inn
Norman Rockwell creates 13-foot-wide Yankee Doodle Mural for Nassau Inn

Norman Rockwell creates 13-foot-wide Yankee Doodle Mural for Nassau Inn

1937 / 1930s

Yankee Doodle (Mural), 1937. Oil on canvas, 60 x 152″ Mural for the Nassau Inn, 1937.

Hindenburg Explosion
Hindenburg Explosion

Hindenburg Explosion

May 6, 1937 / 1930s

German airship bursts into flames trying to land at Lakehurst, NJ

Photo: Courtesy of National Archives

 

Congress rejects President Roosevelt’s proposed reform of the US Supreme Court

Congress rejects President Roosevelt’s proposed reform of the US Supreme Court

1937 / 1930s

Rejection due to amid furious accusations that he is trying to pack the Court with his nominees

FDR signs the second Agricultural Adjustment Act

FDR signs the second Agricultural Adjustment Act

February 16, 1938 / 1930s
Rockwell purchases home in Arlington, VT
Rockwell purchases home in Arlington, VT

Rockwell purchases home in Arlington, VT

1938 / 1930s
Norman Rockwell’s Heart’s Dearest, “Why Do You Cry?” illustration
Norman Rockwell’s Heart’s Dearest, “Why Do You Cry?” illustration

Norman Rockwell’s Heart’s Dearest, “Why Do You Cry?” illustration

1938 / 1930s

Norman Rockwell (1894-1978), Heart’s Dearest, 1938 Oil on canvas, 32” x 18″ Story illustration for Woman’s Home Companion, March 1938 Norman Rockwell Museum Collections. ©Norman Rockwell Family Agency. All rights reserved.

U.S.A. – Minimum wage is 40 cents / hour

U.S.A. – Minimum wage is 40 cents / hour

1938 / 1930s

44 hour working week

The tragic face of ‘Hitlerism’
The tragic face of ‘Hitlerism’

The tragic face of ‘Hitlerism’

1938 / 1930s

Sudeten woman forced to salute Hitler

Photo: National Archives

Fair Labor Standards Act 
Fair Labor Standards Act 

Fair Labor Standards Act 

1938 / 1930s

Fair law passed for “labor of persons under eighteen years of age”

Photo: Courtesy of National Archives, Records of Children’s Bureau

Rockwell travels to England

Rockwell travels to England

1938 / 1930s

He meets several famous illustrators, including Arthur Rackham

Congress passes the Revenue Act of 1938

Congress passes the Revenue Act of 1938

May 27, 1938 / 1930s

After FDR veto, the Revenue Act is passed to stimulate the economy by corporate income tax reduction

FDR signs the Fair Labor Standards Act

FDR signs the Fair Labor Standards Act

June 25, 1938 / 1930s
Rockwell’s Illustration “Artist Facing Blank Canvas,” published cover
Rockwell’s Illustration “Artist Facing Blank Canvas,” published cover

Rockwell’s Illustration “Artist Facing Blank Canvas,” published cover

October 8, 1938 / 1930s

Artist Facing Blank Canvas (Deadline), Norman Rockwell. 1938 Oil on canvas, 38 ½ x 30 ½” Cover illustration for The Saturday Evening Post, October 8, 1938 From the permanent collection of Norman Rockwell Museum ©1938 SEPS: Licensed by Curtis Publishing, Indianapolis, IN

Mrs. Roosevelt goes on record in favor of passing the federal anti-lynching bill

Mrs. Roosevelt goes on record in favor of passing the federal anti-lynching bill

January 13, 1939 / 1930s

At the Second National Conference on Problems of the Negro and Negro Youth

Rockwell befriends John Atherton & Mead Schaeffer

Rockwell befriends John Atherton & Mead Schaeffer

1939 / 1930s

Two other illustrators living in Arlington, VT

Rockwell’s “A Scout is Helpful,” first seen in Boy Scout calendar
Rockwell’s “A Scout is Helpful,” first seen in Boy Scout calendar

Rockwell’s “A Scout is Helpful,” first seen in Boy Scout calendar

1939 / 1930s

A Scout is Helpful, Norman Rockwell. 1941. Oil on canvas, 34 x 24” Illustration for Boy Scouts of America Calendar From the permanent collection of Norman Rockwell Museum Licensed by Norman Rockwell Licensing Company, Niles, IL

German-born US physicist Albert Einstein writes to President Roosevelt
German-born US physicist Albert Einstein writes to President Roosevelt

German-born US physicist Albert Einstein writes to President Roosevelt

August 2, 1939 / 1930s

The letter is a warning of the potential of an atomic bomb

Photo: Public Domain

Photo Credit: Albert Einstein

Social Security amendments
Social Security amendments

Social Security amendments

August 10, 1939 / 1930s

Social Security amendments advanced the start date for monthly benefits – poster informing the public about the amendments

Photo: Courtesy of SSA History Museum & Archives

FDR – “Fireside Chat”
FDR – “Fireside Chat”

FDR – “Fireside Chat”

September 3, 1939 / 1930s

President Roosevelt speaks on, the war in Europe – The radio press is there to capture his ‘fireside chat’ 

Photo: Public Domain

FDR signs the Neutrality Act of 1939

FDR signs the Neutrality Act of 1939

November 4, 1939 / 1930s

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Norman Rockwell Museum

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Stockbridge , MA 01262

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