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Theodore Roosevelt is born
Theodore Roosevelt is born in New York City to a wealthy family. Roosevelt spent a lot of time inside his family's handsome brownstone, home schooled due to his illnesses and asthma. He then attended Harvard University, graduating in 1880. -
Wins first full term as President
The Presidency of Theodore Roosevelt began on September 14, 1901, when Theodore Roosevelt became the 26th President of the United States upon the assassination and death of President William McKinley, and ended on March 4, 1909. Roosevelt had been the Vice President of the United States for only 194 days when he succeeded to the presidency. -
Named President when McKinley is assassinated
President William McKinley was shot while visiting the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. He died eight days later. As a result of the assassination, Vice-President Teddy Roosevelt became the 26th President of the United States on September 14th, 1901. Roosevelt was also the first and only U.S. President born in New York City. -
Elkins Act passed
The Elkins Act (1903) forbade the common railroad industry practice of offering rebates for large-volume shippers. The Mann-Elkins Act (1910) allowed the ICC to set the maximum freight rates that railroads could charge shippers. These measures imposed new and significant costs on railroads. -
Pelican Island, Florida named first national wildlife refuge
Pelican Island acquired its fame at the turn of the century from the wildlife photographers and naturalists who visited the area. Many of these people were disturbed by the slaughter of countless pelicans, herons, egrets, and other birds by plume hunters. A local resident, Paul Kroegel, who cared about the pelicans on the island became the staunch protector and enlisted the support of noted ornithologists, such as Frank Chapman, who helped establish the Audubon Societies. -
Passage of Pure Food And Drug Act
On this date, the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906 passed in the U.S. House of Representatives 240 to 17. Muckraking journalists had long reported on the appallingly unsanitary conditions of the country’s manufacturing plants, especially those in Chicago’s meat-packing industry. -
Yosemite under Federal Control
Roosevelt signed the American Antiquities Act of 1906 that transferred the Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove back under federal protection and control. A decade later, when the National Park Service formed in 1916, Yosemite had its own agency to protect it, thanks to Roosevelt's efforts. -
Devil’s Tower, Wyoming, named first national monument
Devils Tower was the first United States National Monument, established on September 24, 1906, by President Theodore Roosevelt. Roosevelt brought national attention to Devils Tower by authorizing the Antiquities Act, giving the president the power to set aside national monuments. -
Leaves presidency, visits Africa
After leaving the White House and going on safari in Africa, he returned to politics in 1912, mounting a failed run for president at the head of a new Progressive Party. -
Runs for presidency, unsuccessfully for Bull-Moose Party
Republicans split in 1912 between Taft and Roosevelt. Convention delegates nominated Taft and discontented Republicans formed a third party, the Progressive Party (nicknamed the Bull Moose Party), and nominated Roosevelt.The Democrats put forward a reform-minded New Jersey governor, Woodrow Wilson. -
Energy crisis
The energy crisis played a key role in the economic downturn of the 1970s. With the OPEC oil embargo of 1973, oil prices jumped 350%, and the higher costs rippled through the economy. Although business and government asked consumers to help by conserving energy, and entrepreneurs worked on solutions, the economic crises worsened. As things got more expensive, businesses laid off workers. Inflation and economic stagnation produced “stagflation” and shook confidence in the American dream.
