The White House did not always indicate whether a particular radio address by the President was to be regarded as a Fireside Chat. As a result, there is some question of the exact number of Fireside Chats Mr. Roosevelt made. The best information available to us at this time indicates that there were definitely 28 such addresses. Two other radio addresses could be considered Fireside Chats, although the evidence for this is not conclusive. A list of the 28 Fireside Chats of which we are certain and of the two which are questionable follows.

The Master Speech File lists the first 21 "Firesides" but from 22-28 they are not given the "Fireside" designation. By extending the list (which ends with the 5th War Loan Drive) to include the 6th War Loan Drive speech, and speeches of 1-11-44, 11-6-44, 11-19-44, 12-24-44, and 1-6-45, the number of "Fireside Chats" could be extended to as many as 33.

For FDR's statement on the purpose of Fireside Chats, see 1933 volume of Public Papers and Addresses of FDR , note before first F.C., March 12, 1933.

Click here for FDR's Fireside Chats

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