DAYS: The first hundred days of a president’s term are considered a benchmark for action.

How did it become so important? We owe that to Franklin D. Roosevelt.

When he took office in 1933, he took swift action to curb the nation’s panic, introducing New Deal programs that he explained to America in his “Fireside Chats.” Fifteen pieces of legislation came during his first 100 days, setting a bar by which all subsequent presidents would be measured.

That legislation brought federal deposit insurance, legalized the sale of beer with a 3.2% alcohol content, created the Civilian Conservation Corps, provided support to the unemployed, provided mortgage assistance to those in danger of losing their homes, provided loans for agricultural purposes and more.

Not all presidents’ first 100 days were memorable for the same reasons.

In John F. Kennedy’s first 100 days, he ordered the Bay of Pigs invasion and saw the Soviets launch Yuri Gagarin into space.

In his first 100 days, Gerald Ford pardoned former President Richard Nixon for his involvement in the Watergate scandal that led to his resignation.

Ronald Reagan started his presidency with a bang — the release of U.S. diplomats being held in Iran came on the first day of his presidency. On his 69th day in office, he survived an assassination attempt.

From History.com, “Barack Obama — who like FDR took office during a severe financial crisis — was able to get Congress to sign a $787 million stimulus package, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, on his 29th day in office.”

Roosevelt ended his time in office with a total of 76 laws passed, the most of any president. George W. Bush had the least, with seven, according to History.com