Primary sourceSpeech12 March 1933

Fireside Chat on the Banking Crisis

Franklin D. Roosevelt · 12 March 1933

FDR's first radio 'fireside chat,' broadcast March 12, 1933, explaining the banking crisis directly to the American public.

FDR delivered this first fireside chat himself, directly reassuring Americans during the banking crisis.

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Black-and-white photograph of a seated man in a suit and tie at a desk with papers and two microphones, framed by ornate draped curtains, with light falling on the curtains behind him. — Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum

About this source

What it is

This is a national radio broadcast by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on March 12, 1933, explaining the recent bank closures and the steps his administration had taken to address them. It was the first of what became known as his 'fireside chats,' held today by the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

Why it matters

Coming just days after Roosevelt declared a nationwide banking holiday, the chat used plain language to explain complicated financial matters to ordinary citizens who used banks for everyday deposits and checks. It shows Roosevelt's skillful use of the still-new medium of radio to build public trust and end the panic that was causing runs on banks, a technique he would repeat throughout his presidency.

Look closer

Why does Roosevelt address listeners as 'my friends' rather than using formal language?
How does explaining banking in simple terms help build public confidence?
What does this broadcast suggest about how presidents can use new technology to communicate directly with citizens?

This speech is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Franklin D. Roosevelt on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.