President Roosevelt Visited Canada

Posted by Susanna McLeod Aug 21, 2008

People lined the streets on the summer day in 1938. It was a rare occasion to have President of the United States visit Canada, let alone arrive to receive an award. Not permitted to accept awards from foreign governments, a university award was permitted. Arriving at the old Kingston train station, the President was met with crowds cheering his visit. His arrival at the University surprised some, since he had to be lifted into position at the podium. Roosevelt had polio that affected his legs, causing him great difficulty in standing and moving.

In his Convocation speech to university students, politicians and excited citizens, President Roosevelt gave his “assurance that the people of the United States will not stand idly by if domination of Canadian soil is threatened by any other Empire.” The words were said as rumblings of war were heard, the beginnings of what would become World War Two. The sentence united the two countries.

This week, Brian Mulroney donated a framed copy of Roosevelt’s speech to Queen’s University’s Archives in honour of the 70th anniversary of the event. When Prime Minister, Mulroney received the copy of the speech from President Bill Clinton at their first meeting in February 1993.

Visit Queen’s University’s site for more information on this historic event.