Theodore Roosevelt, 26th president of U.S.

Theodore Roosevelt served as the 26th President of the United States from 1901 to 1909. His dynamic leadership and progressive policies left a lasting impact on the nation.

Here are key points about his life and presidency:

1. Early Life and Career:
   • Born on October 27, 1858, in New York City, Roosevelt was a sickly child who overcame his health issues through a vigorous lifestyle.
   • He graduated from Harvard College in 1880 and briefly attended Columbia Law School before entering public service.
   • Roosevelt served as a New York State Assemblyman, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, and Governor of New York.
2. Spanish-American War:
   • Roosevelt gained national fame during the Spanish-American War as the leader of the Rough Riders, a volunteer cavalry regiment. His heroics in the Battle of San Juan Hill made him a war hero.
3. Vice Presidency and Ascension to Presidency:
   • Roosevelt was elected Vice President in 1900 under President William McKinley.
   • He became President on September 14, 1901, after McKinley was assassinated, making him the youngest person to assume the U.S. presidency at age 42.
4. Domestic Policies:
   • Progressive Reforms: Roosevelt was a leader of the Progressive Movement, advocating for reforms to address the problems caused by industrialization.
   • Trust-Busting: He aggressively pursued antitrust litigation, earning the nickname “Trust Buster” by breaking up monopolies like the Northern Securities Company.
   • Square Deal: His domestic policy, known as the Square Deal, focused on three main principles: conservation of natural resources, control of corporations, and consumer protection.
   • Conservation: Roosevelt was a passionate conservationist, establishing the U.S. Forest Service, creating five national parks, and signing the Antiquities Act, which led to the creation of numerous national monuments.
5. Foreign Policy:
   • Big Stick Diplomacy: Roosevelt’s foreign policy motto was “speak softly and carry a big stick.” He believed in a strong military to achieve American goals.
   • Panama Canal: He was instrumental in the construction of the Panama Canal, facilitating a shorter maritime route between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
   • Roosevelt Corollary: He added the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, asserting the right of the U.S. to intervene in Latin American countries to stabilize the region.
6. Nobel Peace Prize:
   • Roosevelt won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1906 for his role in mediating the Russo-Japanese War, making him the first American to receive the award.
7. Later Life:
   • After leaving the presidency in 1909, Roosevelt went on a safari in Africa and then ran for president again in 1912 as a Progressive, or “Bull Moose,” candidate after a split with the Republican Party. He lost to Woodrow Wilson.
   • Roosevelt remained active in politics and public life until his death on January 6, 1919.
8. Legacy:
   • Roosevelt’s presidency is remembered for its vigorous approach to both domestic and foreign policy. His efforts in conservation, regulatory reforms, and his dynamic leadership style have left a lasting legacy on American history.
   • He is memorialized on Mount Rushmore alongside George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Abraham Lincoln.

Theodore Roosevelt’s life and presidency were marked by a commitment to reform, a belief in the power of the presidency, and a dedication to the nation’s growth and preservation.