“There is a mysterious cycle in human events. To some generations much is given. Of other generations much is expected. This generation of Americans has a rendezvous with destiny.”
- January 30, 1882 – April 12, 1945
- American
- Politician
- [Achievements]
- As president of the United States, he promoted economic recovery from the Great Depression with the New Deal policy
- He led the Allied powers to victory in World War II
- [Criticism]
- His hard-line policy toward Japan triggered the attack on Pearl Harbor
- He pushed for the forced internment policy of Japanese Americans due to racist feelings toward the Japanese
- He promoted the Manhattan Project, a plan to develop the atomic bomb
Quote
“There is a mysterious cycle in human events. To some generations much is given. Of other generations much is expected. This generation of Americans has a rendezvous with destiny.”
Explanation
In this quote, Franklin D. Roosevelt reflects on the cycles of history, where different generations face varying levels of challenge and responsibility. He suggests that some generations are blessed with prosperity or stability, while others are called upon to meet the weighty demands of their time. Roosevelt, speaking during the Great Depression and the lead-up to World War II, understood that his generation of Americans was facing monumental challenges, both economically and globally. He frames these challenges not as burdens, but as a rendezvous with destiny, implying that it was their historical moment to take decisive action for the future of the nation and the world.
Roosevelt’s words were meant to inspire a sense of purpose and urgency in the American people. Just as past generations had confronted major crises, like the Civil War or the industrial revolution, this generation had to rise to meet the demands of the Great Depression and, soon after, World War II. By calling it a “rendezvous with destiny,” Roosevelt emphasized that history had singled out this generation to play a pivotal role in shaping the future, and they had the power to determine the outcome.
In today’s context, this quote resonates as a reminder that each generation faces its own set of challenges that shape the course of history. Whether addressing issues like climate change, global inequality, or political unrest, Roosevelt’s words encourage the present generation to embrace its responsibility to act, understanding that they are also in a critical moment where their choices will shape the future. It calls on people to be aware of their place in history and to act with purpose and resolve, knowing that future generations will judge the decisions made in this pivotal time.
