The Rough Rider

The Rough Rider...

THEODORE ROOSEVELT

(1858-1919)

"Speak softly and carry a big stick"

26th president of the United States (1901-1909), one of the strongest and most vigorous presidents in United States history. In battles between business and labor, Roosevelt extended the power both of the presidency and of the federal government to protect what he saw as the public interest. He enjoyed the responsibilities of world power and greatly expanded United States involvement in world affairs. His domestic social and economic reforms were the first federal attempts to deal with the problems created by a modern industrial society.

Roosevelt became the youngest man ever to be president when he succeeded the assassinated William McKinley in 1901 at the age of 42. However, he was older than John F. Kennedy when he was elected in his own right. Roosevelt was adored by the majority of Americans. The reason, he thought, was that he "put into words what is in their hearts and minds but not their mouths."

THE GREAT WHITE FLEET

On December 16, 1907, the United States Atlantic Battle Fleet embarked on a journey to circumnavigate the globe. Recently debuting on the world stage in the Spanish-American War, this risky demonstration of Big Stick diplomacy by President Roosevelt marked the beginning of the American Century.

Link to the Great White Fleet Page

Arena:
"It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by the dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions and spends himself in a worthy course; who at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who, at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly; so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat." T.R. (Paris Sorbonne, 1910)

The story of Sagamore Hill

Speeches/Writings

The Theodore Roosevelt Society

TR, The story of Theodore Roosevelt-PBS documentary