Theodore Roosevelt Fast Facts

Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919) served as America's 26th president. Nicknamed the "Trust Buster" for fighting corruption in the industry, and more affectionately known as "Teddy," Roosevelt was a larger-than-life personality. He is remembered not only as a statesman but also as an author, soldier, naturalist, and reformer. Roosevelt was Vice President of William McKinley and became President after McKinley was assassinated in 1901.

Fast Facts

Birth: October 27, 1858

Death: January 6, 1919

Term of Office: September 14, 1901–March 3, 1909

Number of Terms Elected: 1 term

First Lady: Edith Kermit Carow

Theodore Roosevelt Quote

"The first requisite of a good citizen in this Republic of ours is that he shall be able and willing to pull his weight."

Major Events While In Office

• Panama Canal Rights Acquired (1904): The U.S. earned the right to occupy the Canal Zone in Panama, leading the way to the construction of the Panama Canal, which it would control until 1979. 
• Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine (1904-1905): The Monroe Doctrine declared that foreign encroachment into the Western Hemisphere would not be tolerated. As President, Roosevelt added that the U.S. was responsible for enforcing the Monroe Doctrine in Latin America, with force if necessary.
• Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905): Japan's campaign to claim Port Arthur on the coast of Manchuria from the Russians began a brief but devastating war. The heavy artillery and battle methods used foreshadowed the conditions of modern warfare that would come of age in World War I. 
• Nobel Peace Prize (1906): Roosevelt was one of a handful of presidents to win the Nobel Peace Prize. This award honored his efforts to resolve the Russo-Japanese War and his work for international arbitration.  
• San Francisco Earthquake (1906): San Fransisco's massive earthquake destroyed almost 30,000 buildings and left many of the citizens homeless. 

States Entering Union While in Office

• Oklahoma (1907)

Related Theodore Roosevelt Resources

These additional resources on Theodore Roosevelt can provide you with further information about the president and his times.

• Theodore Roosevelt Biography: An in-depth look at the 26th president of the United States, including his childhood, family and early career, and the major events of his administration.
• Progressive Era: The Gilded Age', a term coined by Mark Twain, referred to the overt opulence exhibited by the wealthy in the industrial era. The Progressive Era was partly a response to the disparity between rich and poor. Individuals at this time were campaigning for economic, political, and social reform.
• Top 10 Influential Presidents: Theodore Roosevelt is considered one of the most influential presidents in American History.
• Bull Moose Party: When Theodore Roosevelt was not nominated by the Republican Party to run for president again in 1912, he broke away and created a new party which was nicknamed the Bull Moose Party.

Other Presidential Fast Facts

• William McKinley: McKinley was assassinated shortly after winning re-election and beginning the second term of his presidency. During his time in office, American officially established itself as a world colonial power. 
• William Howard Taft: The president who succeeded Roosevelt may be best known for his policies of "Dollar Diplomacy," aimed at promoting security and influence abroad in the interest of American commercial ventures.