Welcome to THE MAKING OF A NATION -- American history in VOA Special English.I'm Doug Johnson with Mario Ritter. This week in our series, we talk about the first one hundred days of the administration of President Franklin Roosevelt.Roosevelt's inauguration speech in March of nineteen thirty-three gave hope to millions of Americans.The new president promised to fight the Great Depression that was crushing the economy.His administration launched into action even before the inauguration ceremonies were finished.Back then, newly elected presidents were sworn into office in March instead of January.Roosevelt's aides began work even as he and his wife, Eleanor, watched the traditional Inaugural Parade.The lights of Washington's federal office buildings burned late that night.And not just on that night, but the next night and the next night, too. The nation was in crisis. There was much work to do.
