Theodore Roosevelt: Chronology of His Life and Career

Theodore Roosevelt was a man of great energy, and practiced what he called the "strenuous life." He enjoyed horseback riding, swimming, hunting, hiking, and boxing. As commander of the fearless Rough Riders, Roosevelt became a national hero during the Spanish-American War in 1898, leading the famous cavalry regiment against the Spaniards in Cuba. He came home and won election as Governor of New York. Two years later, he was elected Vice-President.

What makes Theodore Roosevelt's life even more remarkable is the fact that this very energetic man was a rather puny and sickly child who fought a variety of childhood ailments.

Oct 27, 1858	Born in New York City.
1880	Graduated from Harvard University.
Oct 27, 1880	Married Alice Hathaway Lee.
1881	Elected to the New York State Assembly; re-elected in 1882 and 1883.
Feb 14, 1884	Alice Hathaway Roosevelt died; Theodore's mother died.
1884	Bought two cattle ranches on the Little Missouri River in the Dakota Territory.
1886	Defeated in bid for Mayor of New York City.
Dec 2, 1886	Married Edith Kermit Carow.
1889	Appointed to the U.S. Civil Service Commission; re-appointed in 1893.
1895	Named president of the Board of Police Commissioners in New York City.
1896	Named Assistant Secretary of the Navy.
1898	Led the Rough Riders in the Spanish-American War.
1898	Elected Governor of New York.
1900	Elected Vice-President of the United States.
Sep 14, 1901	Became President upon the death of William McKinley.
1904	Elected to a full term as President.
1906	Received the Nobel Prize for Peace for his role in mediating an end to the Russo-Japanese War.
1909-1910	Hunted big game in Africa.
1912	Defeated for President on the Progressive Party ticket.
Jan 6, 1919	Died at his home in Oyster Bay, New York.

Roosevelt was the first American to receive the Nobel Prize for Peace. He was also one of only two U.S. Presidents to be so honored -- the other being Jimmy Carter.