Life of Teddy Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt Is Born

Oct 27, 1858

Theodore Roosevelt was born in New York City, NY, on October 27, 1858. He served as the governor of New York until 1897, when he became vice-president to President McKinley.

McKinley Assassinated, Roosevelt President

Sep 14, 1901

After four years of being vice-president, Theodore Roosevelt was sworn in after President McKinley was shot and died of complications.

Energy Crisis

Feb 22, 1902

In 1902, coal mines in Pennsylvania were faced with violent conflicts between immigrant miners and coal companies. The miners went on strike, and to prevent the mines from losing and leading to an energy crisis, Roosevelt set up the Anthracite Strike Commission. This commission met the miners' demands and put an end to the strike after five months.

First National Wildlife Refuge

Mar 14, 1903

Roosevelt made Pelican Island, located in the Indian River Lagoon, the first federal bird reservation, which later formed into the National Wildlife Refuge System. This one only one of ten reservations Roosevelt named in Florida.

Roosevelt Wins Full-Term Presidency

Nov 8, 1904

Roosevelt won reelection against Parker in 1904. He was then able to serve a full term, and decided to not run again, for he felt three-year term still counted as a term.

Pure Food and Drug Act

May 30, 1906

Thanks to muckrakers and the book "The Jungle", the safety issues concerning the processing of food and drug addiction came to the public eye. President Roosevelt fought to regulate these companies and passed the Meat Inspection Act of 1906, later to be replaced with the Pure Food and Drug Act.

Yosemite Under Federal Control

Jun 11, 1906

Theodore Roosevelt went with conservationist and evironmentalist John Muir to Yosemite. While there, Muir convinced Roosevelt to establish Yosemite as a national park and take the land under federal control so that it can be protected.

The First National Monument

Sep 24, 1906

Roosevelt wanted "objects of historic or scientific interest" to be protected, so he began declaring national monuments. The first to be proclaimed was Devil's Tower in Wyoming, which was an important location to native Americans.

The Elkins Act is Passed

Oct 22, 1906

The Elkins Act was passed to put an end to the practice of rebates. Rebates were common on the Pennsylvania Railroad and lead to rate discrimination. This act lead to Roosevelt speaking in support and pushing for the Hepburn Act and the Sherman Anti-trust Act.

Leaves Presidency, Goes to Africa

Mar 22, 1909

Theodore Roosevelt decided not to run for president again in 1908, so instead he went on an expedition to Africa with his son Kermit to hunt and gather for the Smithsonian Institute. Together, they slayed over 500 beasts by their return to the Unites States in June.

Lost Election for the Bull Moose Party

Nov 5, 1912

The Progressive Party, or the Bull Moose Party, nominated Roosevelt as their presidential candidate for the 1912 election instead of renominating Taft. During a campaign speech, Roosevelt was shot by someone who disagreed with running for a third term. Roosevelt recovered fast, but lost the election to Woodrow Wilson.

Theodore Roosevelt Dies

Jan 6, 1919

Theodore Roosevelt suffered a coronary embolism, which obstructs blood vessels, and died in his sleep at the age of 60. He was buried at Youngs Memorial Cemetary in New York, and in 2001 he was awarded a posthumous Medal of Honor by Bill Clinton.