Franklin D. Roosevelt in Colombia

Sail into a historic voyage with FDR in Colombia, a silent archival treasure from the FDR Presidential Library (Video 107, MP71-8:13), capturing Franklin D. Roosevelt’s landmark visit to Cartagena on July 10, 1934—the first by a U.S. president to South America. This mid-century reel hums to life: the USS Houston glides into harbor, FDR—hat tilted, grin wide—steps ashore, greeted by Capt. J.W. Flanagan amid a flutter of flags. The camera rolls—Colombian President Enrique Olaya Herrera clasps his hand, a naval salute snaps, waves crash silently as two leaders forge a moment of Pan-American unity. Grainy yet vivid, this 8-minute glimpse—shot in stark black-and-white—whispers of diplomacy’s dawn under a Caribbean sun. Archival Moments revives this quiet crossing—subscribe to sail through more from the reels of history!