In 1921, at the age of 39, Franklin Roosevelt contracted a paralytic illness, believed at the time to be polio, and his legs became permanently paralyzed. On this day, January 3, in 1938, Roosevelt founded the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis (March of Dimes), leading to the development of polio vaccines. Roosevelt’s leadership in the March of Dimes is one reason he is commemorated on the American dime. (Wikipedia)

Read about Dr. Jonas Salk and the polio vaccine sponsored by the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis.

Roosevelt became 32nd president of the United States in 1933.