Welcome to Part Twenty-Four! It’s time for the president first to win the Nobel Peace Prize, the one who was also first to leave the states during his presidency. Let’s dive into the administration of Theodore Roosevelt:
Extraordinary Inauguration- 14th September 1901
Theodore Roosevelt ascended to the presidency this day following the tragic death of William McKinley. He had initially stayed on holiday in upstate New York as he was told that McKinley would be ok, but was summoned when the president took a turn for the worse. Roosevelt was at a train station when he was told that McKinley had died. Friend Ansley Wilcox invited him to his home, where it was decided that the inauguration should immediately take place. Cabinet members and others assembled there. Roosevelt was sworn in by John R. Hazel, a district judge for Western New York.
Has Booker T. Washington over at the White House- 16th October 1901
Famed educator and civil rights activist Booker T. Washington had dinner at the White House on this day. He joined President and Mrs. Roosevelt, along with the First Family, at a dinner in the Blue Room. The reaction from the South in particular was one of fury, with politicians, press and members of the public queuing up to denounce the dinner. Senator Benjamin Tillman of South Carolina was one such example- ‘The action of President Roosevelt in entertaining that n- will necessitate our killing a thousand n- in the South before they will learn their place again.’ Both Washington and Roosevelt received death threats. Whilst Roosevelt was baffled by the backlash, he never invited Washington or any African-American over again. Indeed, no African-American would be invited to the White House until 1929.
Signs Philippine Tariff Act- 8th March 1902
Roosevelt signed the Philippine Tariff Act on this day. This confirmed the findings of the Philippine Commission, and enacted tariffs on imports from the country.
Beginning of the Pennsylvania Coal Miners’ Strike- 12th May 1902
The Pennsylvania Coal Miners’ Strike started on this day. Started by the United Mine Workers of America, the strike would last until October and cause misery in the markets. Roosevelt was so concerned that he would call an unprecedented meeting between union and business representatives at the White House.
Signs the Isthmian Canal Act- 28th June 1902
Roosevelt signed the Isthmian Canal Act on this day. It permitted the US to acquire parts of the French Canal Company in Panama and to negotiate with Colombia over the matter.
Recognises Panama- 6th November 1903
Roosevelt recognised the Republic of Panama on this day. This came only four days after Panama declared independence from the neighbouring Colombia.
Treaty signed with Panama over a canal- 18th November 1903
On this day, Roosevelt signed a treaty with Panama over the creation of a canal. In a special message, the president said: ‘I transmit for the advice and consent of the Senate to its ratification a convention between the United States of America and the Republic of Panama for the construction of a ship canal, etc., to connect the waters of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, signed on November 18, 1903. I also inclose [sic] a report from the Secretary of State submitting the convention for my consideration.’ As we know, the canal came into existence.
Russo-Japanese War begins- 8th February 1904
The Russo-Japanese War began on this day. Whilst Japan declared war first, their declaration had not yet been received by the Russians when their fleet was attacked by the Japanese Navy at Port Arthur, China. The Russians declared war eight days later, and thus began eighteen months of conflict.
Wins reelection- 8th November 1904
Roosevelt won reelection on this day, becoming the first ‘accidental president’ to win in his own right. Charles W. Fairbanks had been chosen as his ticket mate. Roosevelt did not campaign actively as he had in 1904, but his high popularity allowed him to win in a landslide against Democrat Alton B. Parker.
US Forest Service is founded- 1st February 1905
The United States Forest Service was founded on this day. The organisation oversees the national forests and grasslands of the country, and is part of Roosevelt’s famous conservationist legacy.
Second inauguration- 4th March 1905
Roosevelt was sworn in on the East Portico of the US Capitol by Chief Justice Melville Fuller on this day. The day was sunny, with patches of snow from the previous day settled on the ground. It was 7C/45F at noon. Roosevelt’s inaugural speech was optimistic, and rather short at 983 words- ‘To do so we must show, not merely in great crises, but in the everyday affairs of life, the qualities of practical intelligence, of courage, of hardihood, and endurance, and above all the power of devotion to a lofty ideal, which made great the men who founded this Republic in the days of Washington, which made great the men who preserved this Republic in the days of Abraham Lincoln.’ The inaugural ball was held at the Pension Building.
Lochner v. New York is decided- 17th April 1905
Locher v. New York was decided by the Supreme Court on this day. In New York state, the Bakershop act prevented bakers from working more than ten hours a day or sixty hours per week. A baker owner named Joseph Lochner had violated this and had been indicted by the authorities. The case went all the way to the Supreme Court. In a 5-4 ruling, the Supreme Court decided that such a law was unconstitutional and against the Fourteenth Amendment’s due process clause. It struck down maximum working hours legislation. Lochner v. New York remains a controversial Supreme Court decision.
Russo-Japanese Peace Talks begin- 5th August 1905
Roosevelt offered to mediate in peace talks between the Russians and the Japanese, as the war was still going on. Peace talks began in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, on this day.
Signing of the Portsmouth Treaty- 5th September 1905
The peace talks were a success, and the Russians and Japanese signed the Portsmouth Treaty on this day, ending the war. The Japanese got the best out of the deal, gaining land from Russia and having its authority over Korea recognised. Russian ambition was stalled, and their failure contributed to the ousting of the Tsarist monarchy a decade later.
San Francisco Earthquake- 18th April 1906
The San Francisco Earthquake occurred on this day. A 7.9 earthquake struck the city early in the morning, causing great chaos. Three-thousand people were killed and at least 80% of the city was destroyed. The subsequent fires caused by the earthquake were even more damaging, and several famous buildings were destroyed. The city’s fire chief ended up dying of his injuries. It is the deadliest earthquake in American history. On the 3rd May, Roosevelt released a statement, thanking all those nationally and internationally who helped the relief effort.
Brownsville Incident- 12th August 1906
The infamous Brownsville Incident happened on this day. In the Texas city, a white woman was allegedly raped and the following night, a bartender and a policeman were killed. Blame was placed on African-American soldiers who were staying in a segregated barracks nearby. Despite assurances from army leaders that all of these men were accounted for, blame was cast at their feet. Roosevelt received a recommendation from the Army Inspector General that any soldier who did not speak up should be punished. He thus ordered the discharge of 167 men without honour, which meant losing their pensions and livelihoods. Many were shocked, especially as Roosevelt tended to be favourable on African-American rights.
Visits Panama- 3rd December 1906
Roosevelt became the first US president to leave the United States during his tenure on this day. Many were concerned about this unprecedented action, wondering what would happen if something went wrong and who would be in charge. They were assured that Roosevelt could easily be contacted. Roosevelt was joined by his wife Edith, and the two spent seventeen days in Panama and Puerto Rico. The trip seemed to be a success.
Wins the Nobel Peace Prize- 10th December 1906
Roosevelt became the first president- and first American- to win the Nobel Peace Prize. The citation given was ‘for his role in bringing to an end the bloody war recently waged between two of the world’s great powers, Japan and Russia.’ Roosevelt did not go to Oslo to receive the award, but the American Envoy to Norway read out a telegram. Three more presidents have won the prize: Woodrow Wilson in 1919, Jimmy Carter in 2002 (post-presidency) and Barack Obama in 2009.
Signs Immigration Act of 1907- 20th February 1907
Roosevelt signed the Immigration Act of 1907 on this day. The act restricted immigrants who met certain criteria, including the mentally ill, poor, those with contagious diseases, too disabled to work and those with epilepsy. It also banned those with certain criminal convictions and views, such as polygamists, anarchists and prostitutes.
Panic of 1907- 22nd October 1907
The Panic of 1907 began on this day. The market was destabilised by the failure of New York’s third-largest trust, the Knickerbocker Trust Company. Lasting for three weeks, the panic was ended by the monetary intervention of famed financier J. P. Morgan.
Oklahoma becomes a state- 16th November 1907
Oklahoma became the 46th US state on this day. Known for its large Native population, it is the twentieth-largest state. The Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Oklahoma! is set around this period.
Grand Canyon becomes a National Monument- 11th January 1908
The Grand Canyon became a National Monument on this day. Roosevelt had been a supporter of preserving the Grand Canyon ever since he first visited in 1903, and was able to establish it as a National Monument through the Antiquities Act of 1906. Found in modern-day Arizona, it remains one of the most popular and well-known attractions in the USA.
Ford Model T is introduced- 1st October 1908
The Ford Model T was introduced on this day. Created by automobile industrialist Henry Ford, the Ford Model T modernised the automobile in the United States. Mass produced on assembly lines, its production made it affordable for many Americans. It is one of the most iconic cars of all time. After all, Ford said ‘Any customer can have a car painted any color that he wants so long as it is black.’
NAACP created- 12th February 1909
The National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People, more commonly known as the NAACP, was created on this day. Founded on the 100th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth, the NAACP became the preeminent civil rights organisation in the country. Individuals involved with the NAACP include co-founders Ida B. Wells and W.E.B. Du Bois, Thurgood Marshall, Rosa Parks and Medgar Evers.
Leaves office- 4th March 1909
Roosevelt handed the keys to the White House over to his chosen successor William Howard Taft on this day. He enjoyed great tours of Africa and Europe. Unfortunately, he soon found that he missed the job. Upset by the direction that Taft was taking the party, Roosevelt attempted to win the nomination in 1912. He failed, and instead ran with the Progressives (aka the Bull Moose Party). It was during this campaign that Roosevelt was shot. He famously continued his ninety-minute long speech before seeking medical help. Roosevelt beat Taft in the election, but both lost to Democrat Woodrow Wilson. In 1912 and 1913, Roosevelt led a tour charting a new river in the Amazon. He nearly died on the journey and admitted that it would take a decade off of his life. Roosevelt strongly supported the Allies during WW1 and offered to lead an expedition in Europe- Wilson declined. In 1918, he lost his son Quentin to the war, and never recovered. Theodore Roosevelt died of a pulmonary embolism on the 6th January 1919, aged sixty. Son Archibal sent a telegram to his surviving siblings- ‘The old lion is dead.’ Roosevelt is buried in Youngs Memorial Cemetery in Oyster Bay, his wife Edith joining him after her passing in 1948. Theodore Roosevelt is considered by the public and historians alike to be one of the top five presidents. I certainly think he’s the coolest one, anyway. Bully!
That’s it for Theodore Roosevelt. Tune in next time for William Howard Taft, in which we’ll see him deal with trust-busting, Titanic and a tragic fire.