The “Day of Infamy” speech is one of the best-known American political speeches of the 20th Century. It was delivered by to Congress and a stunned nation on December 8, 1941 by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, often referred to as “The Stamp Collectors’ President.”
 
FDR was elected to the nation’s highest office in November 1932. His unprecedented four terms in the White House were marked with continuing political and economic crises. Yet despite the turmoil, the 32nd President of the United States, a lifelong stamp enthusiast, never lost touch with his hobby and found time to create original designs for several United States stamps issued while in office.

 
Although he was not a trained artist, Roosevelt did have a better-than-average knowledge of the elements of design. And he certainly knew what he himself found appealing as a stamp collector. His designs reflect the world events that occupied his attention as President, as well as his more personal stamp collecting interests.
 
Roosevelt’s first stamp design was done as a favor for a friend — Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd, who needed help promoting his second Antarctic expedition. The Polar Stamp was issued on October 9, 1933. Postal enthusiast FDR insisted that the Post Office Department carry mail bearing this stamp to the expedition base to get a ‘Little America’ Postmark that he knew would increase the value of the covers for collectors.
 
In 1934, FDR sketched a design from a Mothers of America stamp in response to a request from a past national president of the American War Mothers. The President, was himself a devoted son, and wholeheartedly approved the idea of issuing a special stamp for use in conjunction with Mother’s Day mail. In 1938, he designed an airmail stamp based upon a Library of Congress bookplate.
 
In addition to designing stamps, The Stamp Collectors’ President made sure that the U.S. mails were a top priority. Despite its inevitable association with America’s entry into the war, Roosevelt said he tried to think of 1941 as the year the first Highway Post Office bus had its inaugural run.
 
As the war finally drew to a close, Roosevelt’s health deteriorated. One of the most beloved figures of American history died of a cerebral hemorrhage on April 12, 1945, while posing for a portrait at Warm Springs, Georgia. Earlier that day he had approved the design for a new commemorative stamp titled “Toward United Nations.” It is said that the ‘spirit’ of the President lingered and that FDR did not leave the earth before spending an hour solemnly taking pleasure in the enduring comfort of his stamps.