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Theodore Roosevelt was born into a wealthy family in New York City. -
President William McKinley was shot by an assassin while attending a public event and died several days later. At just 42 years old, Theodore Roosevelt was sworn in as the 26th President of the United States, making him the youngest president in American history at the time. Many people were unsure about him at first because he had a reputation for being bold and outspoken, but he eventually showed that he was ready to lead the country. -
In 1902, coal miners went on strike because they wanted better pay and safer working conditions. Eventually, people started worrying there wouldn’t be enough coal to heat homes during the winter. President Roosevelt invited both the miners and the coal company owners to the White House to work out a deal. This was the first time a president took the side of workers in a strike. It showed Roosevelt cared about fairness and was willing to take action to protect the public. -
The Elkins Act was one of the first laws passed during Roosevelt’s presidency to control big businesses. It targeted railroad companies that were secretly giving discounts to certain powerful customers. This made things unfair for smaller businesses. The law made rebates illegal and gave the government more power to regulate how railroads charged people. Roosevelt supported the law because he believed the government should step in to keep things fair for everyone, not just the rich and powerful. -
Pelican Island in Florida became the first place in the U.S. to be protected specifically for wildlife. Roosevelt created the wildlife refuge to protect birds that were being hunted to near extinction for their feathers, which were popular in women’s hats. By setting aside Pelican Island, Roosevelt helped start a national movement to protect animals and their habitats. This action led to the creation of over 50 wildlife refuges and inspired future conservation efforts. -
After serving out President McKinley’s term, Roosevelt ran for president in his own right in 1904. He won in a huge landslide, becoming the first person elected president after gaining the office through succession. His victory showed that Americans supported his ideas about fairness, conservation, and government reform. During this term, Roosevelt continued to fight against corruption, protect nature, and support everyday people over big businesses. -
Before 1906, Yosemite Valley was controlled by the state of California, but President Roosevelt believed that such beautiful and important natural areas should be protected by the federal government. He worked to bring Yosemite under national control to make sure it would be preserved forever. Roosevelt also went camping in Yosemite with naturalist John Muir, where they discussed the importance of protecting nature. This was another important moment in the conservation movement. -
The Pure Food and Drug Act was a major step forward in protecting consumers. It made it illegal to sell harmful or mislabeled food and medicine. The law was passed partly because of public outrage after the release of Upton Sinclair’s book The Jungle, which exposed disgusting conditions in meatpacking factories. Roosevelt pushed Congress to pass the law so that companies couldn’t trick people and make money. This law also helped by setting up the foundation for today’s FDA. -
President Theodore Roosevelt used a new law called the Antiquities Act to protect Devil’s Tower in Wyoming, making it the very first national monument in U.S. history. This meant that the unique rock formation and the land around it would be preserved for all Americans to enjoy and study, without being destroyed or developed. Roosevelt believed in protecting nature, and this was one of the many steps he took to save special places across the country. -
After finishing his time as president, Roosevelt didn’t just retire quietly; he went on a major safari trip to Africa. The journey was partly for adventure, but it also had a scientific purpose. Roosevelt helped the Smithsonian Institution by collecting animal specimens for research and museums. He hunted big game animals and traveled through many African countries. This trip kept him in the public spotlight and reminded people of his energetic and adventurous spirit. -
After leaving office, Roosevelt became frustrated with the direction President Taft was taking the country. So, in 1912, Roosevelt decided to run for president again, but under a new party he helped create, the Progressive Party, also known as the "Bull Moose Party." Even though he ran a strong campaign and gave powerful speeches, he lost the election to Democrat Woodrow Wilson. However, Roosevelt still beat Taft, showing how popular he remained.