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Theodore Roosevelt Jr.

By Tom Kirvan

As one of four presidents immortalized on Mount Rushmore, Theodore Roosevelt Jr. was a larger-than-life figure as the 26th president of the United States, winning the Nobel Peace Prize on December 10, 1906 for his efforts in bringing an end to the Russo-Japanese war waged between the two powers in 1904-05.

A New York native, Roosevelt was the vice president under President William McKinley for six months in 1901, assuming the presidency after McKinley was assassinated by an anarchist. Roosevelt, who served as governor of New York for two years before agreeing to serve as McKinley’s running mate in the 1900 presidential race, won a full four-year term in the Oval Office in 1904 before becoming the first American to win the Nobel Peace Prize. 

As president, Roosevelt championed his “Square Deal” domestic policies, prioritizing anti-trust legislation, conservation of natural resources, and consumer protection measures. He also dramatically expanded the system of national parks and national forests, and has been viewed by historians as one of the foremost stewards of land preservation programs.

2024 December 10 - Weekly Historical Quote - Theodore Roosevelt Jr.
Theodore Roosevelt Jr.

A Harvard grad, Roosevelt served as a “Rough Rider” during the Spanish-American War, leading the charge up San Juan Hill in Cuba, a battle that was pivotal in ending the Spanish Empire and cementing Roosevelt’s fame as a war hero.

In 1903, Roosevelt helped Panama gain its independence from Colombia. In supporting Panama, Roosevelt cleared the way for the building of a canal across the Latin American country, a massive project that took more than a decade to complete. Roosevelt considered the construction of the canal his greatest accomplishment as president. His fifth cousin, Franklin D. Roosevelt, would serve as president from 1933-45.

Among his famous quotes:

  • "Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far." 
  • "It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed."
  • "Believe you can and you're halfway there."
  • "A man who has never gone to school may steal a freight car; but if he has a university education, he may steal the whole railroad." 
  • "No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care."