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Theodore Roosevelt, the Rough Rider at San Juan Hill
The Rough Riders were a group of volunteer cavalry soldiers who served during the Spanish-American War in 1898. The men were led by Teddy Roosevelt and were known for their overwhelming victory at San Juan Hill in Cuba. The victory at San Juan Hill allowed the United States to begin a siege of Santiago de Cuba, which led to Spanish surrender and the end of the Spanish-American War. -
Theodore Roosevelt is President!
With the assassination of William McKinley, on September 9th, 1901, Theodore Roosevelt takes McKinley's spot as president, making him the 26th and youngest president of his time. In Roosevelt's presidency, he was a leader of the progressive movement and championed his "Square Deal" domestic policies, promising the average citizen fairness, the breaking of trusts, regulation of railroads, and pure food and drugs. -
Coal Strike of 1902
The Coal strike, led by the United Mine Workers of America, striked for higher wages, shorter workdays, and the recognition of their union. The strike threatened to shut down the winter fuel supply to major cities. President Roosevelt talked about the strike at the White House with the opposing sides and proposed a solution. The workers were given a ten percent increase in pay and a nine-hour workday. The Coal Strike breathed new life into the American labor movement. Lasted until October 23rd. -
National Reclamation Act
On June 17, 1902, President Theodore Roosevelt signed the National Reclamation Act into law. The Act required that water users repay construction costs from which they received benefits. With the funds, projects were formed to transform arid areas in twenty Western states into farmable land through irrigation projects. -
Elkins Act passed!
Congress passed the Elkins act as to prohibit railroads from providing rebates to preferred customers. Theodore Roosevelt signed it into law on February 19, 1903. This act gave federal courts the power to end rate discrimination. -
Wins first full term as President!
In 1904, Theodore Roosevelt defeated the Democratic nominee, Alton B. Parker. Roosevelt's victory made him the first president who ascended to the presidency upon the death of his predecessor to win a full term in his own right. -
TR and the Northern Securities Case
Roosevelt's Department of Justice prosecuted the Northern Securities Company for violating the Sherman Act.The holding company formed to create a railroad monopoly which violated the Sherman Antitrust Law. The Supreme Court agreed with the administration's position, and ordered the Northern Securities company dissolved. For Roosevelt, this proved a great victory. This was one of the earliest antitrust cases and provided important legal precedents for many cases to come. -
Yosemite under Federal Control
Theodore Roosevelt signed the American Antiquities Act of 1906 that transferred the Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove back under federal protection and control. Roosevelts love for the beauty of Yosemite led to the expansion of federal protection of Yosemite. This inspired him to sign into existence five national parks, 18 national monuments, 55 national bird sanctuaries and wildlife refuges, and 150 national forests. -
The Meat inspection Act
Theodore Roosevelt signed the Meat Inspection Act of 1906 which prohibited the sale of adulterated or misbranded livestock to be labeled products as food and ensured that livestock was slaughtered and processed under sanitary conditions. -
Passage of Pure Food And Drug Act
The original Food and Drugs Act is passed by Congress on June 30, 1906, and is signed by President Theodore Roosevelt. The act prohibits interstate commerce in misbranded and adulterated foods, drinks and drugs. The law requires that food be inspected by the government to ensure its safety. It greatly improves medical care for people sickened by unsafe food. -
Roosevelt leaves Presidency, visits Africa
On March 23, 1909, Theodore Roosevelt and his expeditionary team left for Africa. Roosevelt went to collect specimens for the Smithsonian's new Natural History Museum. Roosevelt spent months in the wilds of East Africa, hunting big game in parts of what are now Kenya and Uganda. -
Theodore Roosevelt runs for presidency in Bull-Moose Party
The Progressive Party, or the Bull-Moose Party, was a third party in the United States formed in 1912 by former president Theodore Roosevelt after he lost the presidential nomination of the Republican Party to president William Howard Taft. Wilson was the first Democrat to win a presidential election since 1892. Roosevelt finished second with 88 electoral votes and 27% of the popular vote but because he was a third party he did not win presidency.