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Theodore Roosevelt is born!
Roosevelt was born in New York City to a very wealthy family. He was home-schooled until he attended Harvard University, where he graduated in 1880. -
Elkins Act Passed
The Elkins Act was created because Taft believed that the 1887 Interstate Commerce Act should permit railroads to make traffic agreements to preserve the principle of competition and to avoid the control of competing railroad lines. It was signed by President Roosevelt on February 19, 1903. It authorized the Interstate Commerce Commission to impose heavy fines on railroads that offered rebates and fines on the shippers who accepted them. -
Pelican Island, Florida (first national wildlife refuge)
Pelican Island is located in Florida's Indian River. It was the first National Wildlife Refuge System in the USA. Theodore Roosevelt always had a strong commitment to American wildlife. In 1903, he signed an executive order that permanently set aside the island as a wildlife sanctuary. Since then, over 500 refuges were created in the world. -
Wins first full term as President
On November 8th, 1904, President Theodore Roosevelt beat the Democratic opponent, Alton B. Parker. This win made him the first president to win a term on his own, right after he had to become president because of the death of McKinley. -
Passage of Pure Food and Drug Act
The Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906 didn't allow the sale of misbranded or spoiled food and drugs in interstate commerce. It also created a foundation for the first consumer protection agency, which was named the Food and Drug Administration. This was a very successful act and helped to create safe, non-toxic foods, medicines, alcohol, etc. to be sold. -
Yosemite under Federal Control
On October 1st, 1890 Yosemite was made a National Park. However, their land was still protected and regulated at the state level. John Muir considered Roosevelt to be the perfect person to help protect the park, so he wrote him a letter inviting him to a 3 day trip though the park. He loved the park and outdoors and they explored all parts of park. He signed the American Antiquities Act of 1906 the following day, placing Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove back under federal control. -
Devils Tower, Wyoming (first national monument)
Devils Tower National Monument, also known as Grizzly Bear Lodge, was named the first US national monument in 1906. It is a massive rock formation that was designated as a US forest reserve in 1892, until President Theodore Roosevelt named it a National Monument in 1906, partially because of major influence by Frank Wheeler Mondell. It takes up 2.1 square miles and features a natural rock tower that is created by a volcanic intrusion. -
Energy Crisis
Theodore Roosevelt was the first president to have to deal with oil shortage and energy issues in wartime. He won that battle in 1911 when the US supreme Court approved to breakup Rockefeller's company, the Standard Oil Company. He formed the Petroleum Industry War Council to ensure that the military has access to oil. -
Leaves presidency and visits Africa
In 1909, Theodore Roosevelt leaves presidency. He went on an African safari before going back into politics. His expedition was called the Smithsonian-Roosevelt African Expedition, and its purpose was to collect specimens for the Smithsonian's new Natural History museum. He spent months hunting all types of unique animals in the wilds of East Africa, which is now Kenya and Uganda. -
Named President after McKinley Assassination
On September 14th, 1901, William McKinley was assassinated in Buffalo, New York. Later that same day, Theodore Roosevelt (their current vice president) was inaugurated as the 26th president of the United States. -
Runs for presidency, unsuccessfully for Bull Moose Party.
Theodore Roosevelt tried to win the 1912 Republican nomination to go against Taft's conservatism. He failed at that and decided to give up. He decided to found the Bull Moose Party, which focused on wide-ranging progressive reforms. He still was very far from winning in the end and was beat by Woodrow Wilson.
