America 250: Teddy Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt became the youngest president in U.S. history at age 42.

Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt was born in 1858 into a prominent New York family. Known for seeking out challenges, he gained national fame leading the “Rough Riders” during the Spanish-American War. His political career quickly elevated him to vice president under President William McKinley. After McKinley’s assassination in 1901, Roosevelt became the youngest president in U.S. history at age 42. As president, he took on powerful corporate trusts and expanded protections for workers and consumers. Roosevelt also championed conservation, preserving millions of acres of land and establishing national parks, forests, and monuments.