#OnThisDay 1935: President #FDR signed the #SocialSecurity Act into law, using taxes to fund basic social welfare programs. The driving force behind the law was #FrancesPerkin: she was the first woman to hold the position of the U.S. Secretary of labor.

It provided benefits such as: income for the elderly; unemployment insurance and public health services; providing aid to homeless, dependent, and neglected children; providing funds to promote both child and maternal welfare. It remains one of the most popular government programs.