Fiorello La Guardia

Fiorello Henry La Guardia was an American attorney and politician who served as the 100th mayor of New York City from 1934 to 1946. He was born to a family of Italian immigrants in New York City and became interested in politics at a young age. Before becoming mayor, he represented Manhattan in the U.S. House of Representatives and later served in the New York City Board of Aldermen.

La Guardia was known for his energetic and charismatic personality. During his time as mayor, especially during the Great Depression and World War II, he worked hard to improve the city. He unified the city's transit system, expanded public housing, playgrounds, parks, and airports, and reorganized the New York Police Department. He also helped bring federal funds to New York City through his support for Franklin D. Roosevelt and his New Deal programs.

La Guardia was a visible national figure, often crossing party lines in his support for the New Deal. His radio program "Talk to the People" on WNYC helped him connect with people beyond New York City. He was also known for reducing the influence of the powerful Tammany Hall political machine, promoting merit-based employment instead.

Early life and education

Fiorello La Guardia was born on December 11, 1882, in Greenwich Village, New York City. His full name at birth was Fiorello Raffaele Enrico La Guardia, but later his middle names were simplified. His father, Achille, came from Foggia, Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, and his mother, Irene, was from Trieste, Austria.

Achille served in the United States Army and the family lived in several places, including the Dakota Territory, New York, and the Arizona Territory. Fiorello grew up speaking English, as his father did not want the family to speak Italian. The family moved around a lot because of Achille’s work, and they even tried to go to Cuba during the Spanish–American War, but had to turn back because Achille became ill.

Career

Fiorello La Guardia began his career as a clerk in the Budapest consulate, thanks to a friend who worked there. He later managed an agency in Fiume and worked as an interpreter at Ellis Island, where he met Felix Frankfurter. After returning to the United States, he held many different jobs, including working with fireproof bricks in Portsmouth, Ohio, and translating for the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.

La Guardia graduated from the New York University School of Law and became a lawyer. He worked for the Attorney General of New York and later started his own Italian-language magazine called L'Americolo, but it did not succeed.

Early political career

La Guardia began his political journey while studying law, joining a local Republican club. He supported notable leaders and took on important roles in city politics. He ran for various positions and faced many challenges along the way.

He later served in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he worked on many issues important to his community. During World War I, he even trained pilots and learned to fly airplanes. His time in Congress was marked by his dedication to justice and supporting those in need.

Mayor of New York

Main article: Mayoralty of Fiorello La Guardia

1933 mayoral election

Main article: 1933 New York City mayoral election

Mayor Jimmy Walker and his group were forced out by problems, and La Guardia wanted to replace him. He ran with support from many groups, including Republicans and reformers. La Guardia worked hard and promised honest government and better services.

La Guardia's win brought together Republicans, some Democrats, and many others. During his time as mayor, he also led a group of city leaders from 1935 to 1945.

Agenda

La Guardia started in January 1934 with five big goals: fixing the city’s money, helping unemployed people, stopping dishonest government, creating fair jobs, and improving city services. He achieved most of these goals quickly, with help from national funds. He worked with Robert Moses to improve roads, bridges, and parks.

African-American politics

In 1935, a trouble happened in Harlem. La Guardia tried to calm things down. After, he looked into why it happened but did not share the findings publicly.

Ethnic politics

La Guardia worked with many different groups in New York. He supported groups standing up against unfair treatment. In 1935, he made a strong statement against unfair actions by speaking out and taking steps to protect people.

Crime

La Guardia spoke out against people who brought bad reputation to the city. He acted quickly to arrest important figures and worked hard to stop illegal activities. He also helped protect creators when they were threatened.

Public works

La Guardia is remembered for helping New York’s economy during tough times. He worked with leaders to build important roads, bridges, and airports, changing the city’s appearance.

1939

In 1939, La Guardia opened a big fair, started a new airport, and helped the city take control of its subway system. That year also marked the arrival of a famous family from Austria.

Reform

La Guardia helped create a new city rule to make government better. He also supported a law to stop unfair treatment in jobs, making New York a leader in this area.

World War II

In 1941, President Roosevelt asked La Guardia to help prepare the city for possible attacks. La Guardia set up systems and trained volunteers. The war brought changes to the city, ending job shortages and bringing many military supplies through New York, though the city did not grow as much as others during this time. La Guardia felt frustrated as the city ran low on money for his programs. By 1945, his popularity dropped, and he decided not to run for another term. In July 1945, during a newspaper strike, La Guardia read the comics on the radio.

Political positions

Fiorello La Guardia stood against strict laws that limited free speech during wartime and supported equal rights for women. He voted for laws that would stop unfair work for children and suggested a special day to honor Christopher Columbus.

As a leader in government, La Guardia fought for fair treatment for many groups, like workers, poor families, and minorities. He believed in fair taxes and better rules for big businesses. He also wanted people to elect the leader of Puerto Rico directly.

La Guardia worked on laws to protect workers' rights and spoke out against unfair rules for immigrants. One important law he helped create made it harder for courts to stop workers from striking or joining unions. He also opposed higher taxes on everyday items during tough economic times and instead suggested taxing expensive luxury goods and earning more from very wealthy people.

He believed the United States should support peace and democracy around the world. La Guardia spoke in favor of international groups working together for peace. Later, he helped organize aid for people in Europe after World War II, even though he was very tired from seeing so much suffering.

Personal life

Fiorello La Guardia was known for being short, often said to be about 5 feet tall. He married Thea Almerigotti in 1919, and they had a daughter named Fioretta, who sadly passed away as a baby. Thea also passed away not long after.

Later, La Guardia married Marie Fisher in 1929. They adopted two children together. His sister, Gemma, faced very hard times during World War II. She was taken to a difficult place by authorities, but she survived and was reunited with La Guardia near the end of his life.

Death and legacy

Fiorello La Guardia passed away from a sickness called pancreatic cancer at his home in Riverdale, Bronx, on September 20, 1947, at the age of 64. He was laid to rest at Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx.

In 1993, experts voted La Guardia as the best mayor of a big American city from 1820 to 1993. He worked closely with President Roosevelt to bring help and support to New York City. La Guardia helped many new groups, like Jewish and Italian communities, take part in politics. Together with Robert Moses, he helped build the modern roads, bridges, and buildings of New York City.

Many places in New York are named after La Guardia, such as LaGuardia Airport, LaGuardia Community College, and LaGuardia Place. He loved music and helped start the High School of Music & Art in 1936, which is now called Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts. In 1935, a shelter for men without homes was named Camp La Guardia. It closed in 2006 after being open for 72 years.

In 1972, the United States Postal Service made a stamp to honor La Guardia. Streets and places in Tel Aviv, Israel, and Rijeka, Croatia, are also named after him. La Guardia worked in Rijeka, then called Fiume, from 1903 to 1906, helping connect the Austro-Hungarian Empire to the United States.