Description:

FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT
(1882 - 1945) Thirty-second President of the United States who instituted the "New Deal" programs and who led the United States through most of World War II. Very rare, superb content D.S. "Franklin D. Roosevelt" as President, 1p. legal folio, [Washington], June 6, 1944. On D-Day, as American soldiers clawed their way ashore at Omaha, Utah, and Pointe du Hoc against fierce German resistance, Roosevelt signed this press release, headed "IMMEDIATE RELEASE", a prayer he had written in which he asks his "Fellow Americans" to join him. In part: "...Our sons, pride of our nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our republic, our religion, and our civilization, and to set free a suffering humanity...The enemy is strong. He may hurl back our forces. Success may not come with rushing speed, but we shall return again and again...They will be sore tried, by night and by day, without rest -- till the victory is won. Men's souls will be shaken with the violence of war...These are men lately drawn from the ways of peace. They fight not for the lust of conquest. They fight to end conquest. They fight to liberate...Some will never return. Embrace these, Father, and receive them, Thy heroic servants, into Thy Kingdom...Many people have urged that I call the nation into a single day of special prayer, but because the road is long and the desire is great, I ask that our people devote themselves in continuance of prayer...With Thy blessing, we shall prevail over the unholy forces of our enemy. Help us to conquer the apostles of greed and racial arrogancies. Lead us to the saving of our country, and with our sister nations into a world unity that will spell a sure peace -- a peace invulnerable to the schemings of unworthy men, And a peace that will let all men live in freedom...Thy will be done, Almighty God...". Roosevelt read this prayer to the American public on a radio broadcast on the evening of June 6, 1944, and a recording is available on-line. Some toning at margins from prior framing, with a tape stain on verso causing some darkening to the paper at bottom, just slightly affecting the first four letters of Roosevelt's bold signature. Possibly one of the finest war-date Roosevelt items obtainable.

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January 20, 2010 10:00 AM EST
Stamford, CT, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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