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Rough Rider at San Juan Hill
The Battle of San Juan Heights was fought on July 1, which Roosevelt called "the great day of my life." He led a series of charges up Kettle Hill towards San Juan Heights on his horse, Texas, while the Rough Riders followed on foot. He rode up and down the hill encouraging his men with the orders to "March!" He killed one Spaniard with a revolver salvaged from the Maine. Other regiments continued alongside him, and the American flag was raised over San Juan Heights. -
First Time Named President
Theodore Roosevelt became the president after the assassination of president McKinley. With his new status, he became the youngest president in American history, He used the presidency to begin pushing his progressive movement. -
National Reclamation Act
Teddy Roosevelt led the charge in which Congress passed the Reclamation Act of June 17, 1902. The Act required that water users repay construction costs from which they received benefits. In the jargon of that day, irrigation projects were known as "reclamation"projects. The concept was that irrigation would "reclaim" arid lands for human use. -
Coal Strike
On October 3, 1902 , coal miners in Pennsylvania striked due to long work hours and low pay. Because this was in winter in America, Teddy needed to solve the problem. On October 23, 1902, the miners returned to work after both sides agreed to settle the strike based on the recommendations of the Anthracite Coal Commission, a body appointed by the president. Ultimately, the miners won a ten percent increase in pay and a nine-hour workday. -
Elkins Act
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Wins First Full Presidency Term
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Northern Securities Case
Roosevelt's Department of Justice prosecuted the Northern Securities Company for violating the Sherman Act. In 1904, the Supreme Court agreed with the administration's position, and ordered the Northern Securities company dissolved. For Roosevelt, this proved a great victory. -
Yosemite Under Federal Control
In 1903, John Muir took Roosevelt to Yosemite in an attempt to persuade him to take the land under federal control and establish it as a national park. So, in 1906 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. -
Meat Inspection Act
The Federal Meat Inspection Act of 1906 (FMIA) was enacted to prevent adulterated or misbranded meat and meat products from being sold as food and to ensure that meat and meat products are slaughtered and processed under sanitary conditions. President Roosevelt's plan to clean up the food business was getting beginning to start. -
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 law provided improved medical care for people sickened by unsafe food. The law required that food be inspected by the government to ensure its safety. -
Leaves Presidency, Visits Africa
Teddy Roosevelt left his office to gather animal specimens in Africa. This largely meant he was often hunting big game while leaving his presidential acts for his delegates to handle. This occured until he returned to America in 1910. -
Runs for President in Bull-Moose Party
Roosevelt didn't like how President Taft was not as progressive as he said he was. This caused him to run for republican candidate, which Taft received. So, he split the Republican party into a third party (Bull-Moose Party). This weakened the Republican party so much that Woodrow Wilson, democratic nominee, easily won the election.