26th United States President, 25th United States Vice President, 33rd New York Governor, Spanish American War Medal of Honor Recipient, Nobel Peace Prize Recipient.His father, Theodore Roosevelt, Sr., was a merchant. Theodore Jr. was born into a family which taught him to respect men and women as equals regardless of religion, race, or nationality. Raised in New York City, his family spent the summers in the country, and, during this period, he developed a love for the outdoors which remained with him for life.Roosevelt was a sickly child who suffered from extreme asthma which resulted in him being home-schooled for the majority of his youth. While vacationing with his family in Europe, he developed a keen interest in animals and birds, and, upon his return home, he chose to pursue a career in Natural Science. When he realized the difficulty of finding an occupation in this field, he switched to the study of law and attended Harvard University, but departed prior to earning his degree. For recreation, he enjoyed wrestling and boxing. Roosevelt was twenty-three years old when he entered the political arena as a New York State Assemblyman. During this period, he learned the harsh reality of the game of politics, which included party-controlled bosses and easily-influenced public servants. Roosevelt made a commitment that his decisions and priorities would always be for the betterment of the people he was elected to serve. This did not always sit well with his political mates. In 1884, he left politics for a five-year period when his desire to work in the great outdoors engulfed him. He established two ranches out West in the North Dakota Badlands and advanced his abilities as a big-game hunter. He returned to the East and was appointed Civil Service Commissioner under President Benjamin Harrison. From 1895 to 1897, he served as Police Commissioner of New York City. From 1897 to 1898, he served as Assistant Secretary of the United States Navy. After the Spanish-American War started, Roosevelt, who had served with the New York National Guard, volunteered and became Commander of the First United States Volunteer Cavalry Regiment. Known more commonly as "The Rough Riders," his unit of men headed for Cuba to aid in that nation's fight for independence from Spain. He earned a place in history, when on July 1, 1898, he led the charge up San Juan Hill against the Spaniards. Roosevelt rose to the rank of Colonel and returned home a national hero. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in 2001 for his conspicuous valor during this war. He won a close election for Governor of New York, serving from 1898 to 1900. During his Governorship, he appointed a Committee on Canals, which led to the formation of the Barge and Canal System of New York. Great changes, including the widening of the Erie Canal, led to its vitality. Roosevelt was nominated for Vice President and, after a six-month period at that capacity, succeeded William McKinley following his assassination. Roosevelt holds the distinction of being the youngest individual to enter the non-elected Presidency, when he was sworn in at the age of forty-two on September 14, 1901. Among Roosevelt's landmark accomplishments include the construction of the Panama Canal, which was completed in 1914, and his mediation for peace to end the Russo-Japanese War in 1905. For the latter accomplishment, he received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1906. During his tenure, in his fight against "big business" corruption, the Antitrust Policy was established, which led to suits against Standard Oil, railroad companies, tobacco companies, and the beef industry. For the latter, the Meat Inspection Act and the Pure Food and Drug Act were instituted in 1906. In what was a personal passion of Roosevelt's, conservation of the National Forests and the nation's waterways were expanded. Dams and irrigation systems in the West were devised and constructed. Wildlife refuges were founded. Roosevelt became known as "The Great Conservationist." Roosevelt did not seek a second term of his own in 1908. During his retirement, he went on a one-year African safari from 1909 to 1910. Upon his return home, he became distraught over his successor President Taft's conservative direction and chose to run for President. He failed to secure the Republican nomination from Taft, but remained active in the campaign after forming the Progressive Party, also known as the "Bull Moose" Party. Roosevelt's popularity caused a split in the Republican Party, which led to Taft's defeat for reelection by Woodrow Wilson. While campaigning on October 14, 1912, Roosevelt was shot in the chest by a would-be assassin. In a show of strength, or perhaps foolishness, he gave an hour-long speech immediately following the shooting and later went to the hospital for treatment. He made a full recovery even though the bullet was not removed. When the United States entered World War I, or The Great War, Roosevelt volunteered to organize and lead a unit, but President Wilson rejected the request. In his final years, he suffered from the recurrence of malaria, which he had contracted in Brazil, and rheumatism. His death was the result of a coronary embolism while he slept. Roosevelt's final public statement was an editorial criticizing President Wilson's efforts to propose a League of Nations.
Along with George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Abraham Lincoln, the likeness of Roosevelt's face was sculpted on Mount Rushmore in South Dakota. Roosevelt is regarded by many as one of the greatest Presidents in United States history.