Theodore Roosevelt's Milestones
Birth
Theodore Roosevelt was born in New York City to Theodore Roosevelt Sr. and Martha Bulloch Roosevelt.
Childhood health struggles
Suffered from severe asthma and poor health as a child, inspiring his lifelong commitment to physical fitness.
Natural history interests
Developed a fascination with zoology, taxidermy, and natural history, founding the 'Roosevelt Museum of Natural History' as a boy.
Family travels to Europe and Egypt
Traveled with family to Europe and Egypt, shaping his cosmopolitan outlook.
Attended Harvard College
Studied at Harvard College, graduating magna cum laude.
Death of father
Theodore Roosevelt Sr. died, deeply affecting young Theodore during his Harvard years.
Attended Columbia Law School
Briefly attended Columbia Law School but left to pursue a career in politics.
Married Alice Hathaway Lee
Married Alice Hathaway Lee, who died shortly after giving birth to their daughter, Alice.
Elected to New York State Assembly
Elected to the New York State Assembly, where he became known for anti-corruption efforts.
Death of mother and first wife
Both his mother and wife died on the same day, leading to a period of deep grief.
Moved to Dakota Territory as rancher
Moved to the Dakota Territory to ranch and recover from personal loss, writing about frontier life.
Returned to politics
Ran for Mayor of New York City and began to re-enter public life, later serving as U.S. Civil Service Commissioner and New York City Police Commissioner.
Married Edith Kermit Carow
Married Edith Kermit Carow, with whom he had five children.
Appointed Assistant Secretary of the Navy
Appointed Assistant Secretary of the Navy, advocating for naval expansion and preparing for the Spanish-American War.
Rough Riders and Spanish-American War
Resigned to form and lead the Rough Riders in Cuba, becoming a national hero after the charge up San Juan Hill.
Elected Governor of New York
Elected Governor of New York, implementing progressive reforms and building a reputation as a reformer.
Vice President of the U.S.
Served as Vice President under President McKinley.
Became President after McKinley's assassination
Became the 26th President of the United States, championing the Square Deal, trust-busting, conservation, and progressive reforms.
First White House dinner with Booker T. Washington
Invited Booker T. Washington to dinner at the White House, sparking national controversy.
Antitrust and regulatory reforms
Led aggressive antitrust actions, established the Department of Commerce and Labor, and passed the Pure Food and Drug Act.
Expanded national parks and forests
Greatly expanded the national parks, forests, and wildlife refuges, laying the foundation for modern conservation.
Elected President in his own right
Elected to a full term as President, continuing progressive policies and reforms.
Mediated end of Russo-Japanese War (Nobel Prize)
Mediated the Treaty of Portsmouth, ending the Russo-Japanese War, for which he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
Smithsonian-Roosevelt African Expedition
Led a major scientific expedition to Africa, collecting specimens for the Smithsonian and American Museum of Natural History.
Ran for President as Progressive (Bull Moose) candidate
Ran for President as the Progressive Party (Bull Moose) candidate, splitting the Republican vote and losing to Woodrow Wilson.
South American expedition
Explored the River of Doubt in the Amazon rainforest, facing severe illness and hardship.
Death of son Quentin in WWI
His youngest son, Quentin, was killed in aerial combat during World War I, deeply affecting Roosevelt.
Death
Theodore Roosevelt died at Sagamore Hill, New York, at age 60, of a pulmonary embolism.