This week in the War, 6–12 November 1944: United States presidential election makes history

This week in the war, on 7 November 1944, Franklin Delano Roosevelt made history by becoming the first (and last) president of the United States to be elected to a fourth term in office.

Roosevelt defeated the Republican challenger, New York governor, Thomas E. Dewey.

During the election campaign, there was much mudslinging and some bizarre claims, including a Republican allegation that Roosevelt had dispatched a US Navy warship to bring home his Scottish Terrier, Fala.

Roosevelt won the election handily, in part due to public confidence inspired by American victories in Europe and the Pacific.

Roosevelt would not complete his term as president. He died on 12 April 1945 and was succeeded in office by his Vice-President, Harry S. Truman.