TODAY IN HISTORY: US President Chosen For Unprecedented 3rd Term, Later Won 4th Term In Office

On July 18, 1940, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who had first assumed office in 1933 as the 32nd President of the United States, was nominated for an unprecedented third term.

Despite criticism stemming from an unwritten American political tradition that Presidents should not serve more than two terms, dating back to George Washington's voluntary decision not to seek a third term in 1796, Roosevelt chose to run again.

He believed it was his duty to guide the nation through the escalating crisis in Europe, where Nazi Germany under Adolf Hitler posed a growing threat. Roosevelt ultimately defeated Republican Wendell Wilkie in the general election, and his third term was largely defined by America's deepening involvement in World War II.

In an unprecedented move, Roosevelt, a Democrat, would go on to be elected to a record four terms in office, making him the only U.S. President to exceed the traditional two-term limit.

However, President Roosevelt was unable to complete his fourth term. On April 12, 1945, at the age of 63, he passed away in Warm Springs, Georgia, after enduring various health issues for years. Then Vice President Harry S. Truman succeeded him.

On March 21, 1947, Congress passed the 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which stipulated that no person could be elected to the office of President more than twice. This amendment was ratified by the required number of states in 1951. Since then, no US President has ever been in office more than two terms.

Other key events on this day

1. 1st air-conditioned ship (Mariposa) launched - 1931

2. Adolf Hitler published ''Mein Kampf'' original title was the catchy "Four and a Half Years of Struggle Against Lies, Stupidity and Cowardice" - 1925

3. Barack Obama's "Dreams from My Father" was published - 1995

4. The video of Titanic wreckage released - 1986

5. Great Fire of Rome began under the Emperor Nero - 64

6. Gandhi left South Africa after successfully leading campaigns of Passive Resistance - 1914

7. King George VI signed Indian Independence Act - 1947

8. Intel Corporation was founded in Santa Clara, California - 1968

9. Egyptian President Anwar Sadat threw out 20,000 Russian military aides - 1972

10. Google fined a record $5.1 billion by the EU for abusing its power in mobile phone market - 2018.