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Theodore Roosevelt is born
On October 27, 1858, future President Theodore Roosevelt is born in New York City to a wealthy family. Roosevelt was home-schooled and then attended Harvard University, graduating in 1880. He served in the New York state legislature from 1881 to 1884. -
Named President when McKinley is assassinated
McKinley initially appeared to be recovering, but he took a turn for the worse on September 13 as his wounds became gangrenous, and he died early the next morning; he was succeeded by his Vice President, Theodore Roosevelt. -
Elkins Act passed
United States federal law that amended the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887. The Act authorized the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) to impose heavy fines on railroads that offered rebates, and upon the shippers that accepted these rebates. -
Pelican Island, Florida named first national wildlife refuge description
Established by an executive order of President Theodore Roosevelt on March 14, 1903, Pelican Island was the first National wildlife refuge in the United States. It was created to protect egrets and other birds from extinction through plume hunting. -
Wins first full term as President
Incumbent Republican President Theodore Roosevelt defeated the Democratic nominee, Alton B. Parker. Roosevelt's victory made him the first president to win a term in his own right after having ascended to the presidency upon the death of his predecessor, William McKinley. -
Devil’s Tower, Wyoming, named first national monument
The first U.S. national monument, established in 1906 in northeastern Wyoming, near the Belle Fourche River. It encompasses 2.1 square miles (5.4 square km) and features a natural rock tower, the remnant of a volcanic intrusion now exposed by erosion. -
Yosemite under Federal Control
On October 1 of the following year, Congress set aside over 1,500 square miles of land (about the size of Rhode Island) for what would become Yosemite National Park, America's third national park. In 1906, the state-controlled Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove came under federal jurisdiction with the rest of the park. -
Passage of Pure Food And Drug Act
The Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906 prohibited the sale of misbranded or adulterated food and drugs in interstate commerce and laid a foundation for the nation's first consumer protection agency, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The Pure Food and Drug Act regulated such items shipped through interstate commerce. -
Leaves presidency, visits Africa
From 1909 to 1910, President Theodore Roosevelt went on an expedition to Africa. This guide provides access to materials related to “Theodore Roosevelt's Africa Expedition” in the Chronicling America digital collection of historic newspapers. -
Energy crisis
After the United States entered the war in 1917, massive oil supply was provided to the Allies, playing an important role in the final victory of the Allies. The issue of energy security, which was aimed to ensure economic development and centered on a steady supply of energy, came after the first oil crisis. -
Runs for presidency, unsuccessfully for Bull-Moose Party
Incensed, Roosevelt campaigned against Taft for the Republican nomination in 1912; when that effort failed, he and his supporters bolted to form the Progressive Party, popularly known as the Bull Moose Party. (Roosevelt had once referred to himself in a letter as being “as strong as a bull moose.”)
