Theodore Roosevelt is one of the most remarkable people history has ever seen, and he’s more than just Robin Williams’ character in The Night At The Museum!
Did you know that the popular teddy bear is named after the great twenty-sixth president of the United States – even though this isn’t the name most of his closest friends called him in college?
Here are some of the most interesting Theodore Roosevelt facts for kids.
Theodore Roosevelt Fun Facts
One of the most well-known facts about president Theodore Roosevelt is that the invention of the teddy bear was named after him – and yes, that’s a true fun fact about him.
Theodore Roosevelt was called Teddy by his best friends for years, but the truth according to his interviews is that he actually preferred to be called Colonel.
Theodore Roosevelt was the 26th president of the United States.
Sometimes Theodore Roosevelt is referred to as TDR for short.
Theodore Roosevelt became president of the United States after the assassination of William McKinley.
One of the best traits of Theodore Roosevelt is said to have been his incredible memory. According to accounts of him, he could recite poems, letters and books word for word even decades after he had read them.
Theodore Roosevelt was once the winner of the Nobel Peace Price for his humanitarian and anti-war efforts.
Theodore Roosevelt did not have a healthy childhood, and battled with childhood asthma. As a potential treatment, his father had an exercise room installed in their home – and he would remain an active man for most of his adult life.
Roosevelt was once shot while delivering a speech. According to some accounts, the speech’s notes slowed the bullet – and it never hit his vital organs as a result. The most amazing thing about this TDR fun fact is that he would go on to finish the speech before going to hospital!
During an expedition to the Amazon, Theodore Roosevelt endured a severe illness from which most people believe he never fully physically recovered.
He wasn’t just president of the United States but held several careers before his final political appointment – including as the police commissioner of New York.
TDR was president of the United States from 1901 to 1909.
Owing to his childhood illnesses, Theodore Roosevelt would try to remain active throughout most of his life – and some of the pastimes he enjoyed included hiking, hunting and exploring.
There’s a popular myth that says Theodore Roosevelt encountered bigfoot during one of his explorations – but there are no accounts of this in TDR’s own words, and very few accounts in anyone else’s!
Theodore Roosevelt was one of the youngest US presidents, and became president at the age of 42.
When Was Theodore Roosevelt Born?
Theodore Roosevelt was born in the year 1858.
If you would like the more precise answer, TDR was born on the 27th of October, 1858 in New York City.
Theodore Roosevelt Childhood Facts for Kids
Theodore Roosevelt was born in New York City on the 27th of October, 1858.
He was the son of a socialite and NYC entrepreneur, and he came from a family with considerable wealth.
Theodore Roosevelt was one of four children.
A lot of Theodore’s youth was spend traveling with his family to different parts of the world, including England, France and Holland. Before he was president, he had already gotten to see most of the world first-hand.
Roosevelt did not have an easy childhood, but spent most of his childhood suffering from the symptoms of childhood asthma which he later outgrew.
TDR had to wear glasses from the age of thirteen because he was near-sighted.
One of his nicknames was Teddy, although he preferred to be called TR or Colonel.
Horseriding, swimming and hiking were some of his favorite activities as an adult – even well into his time as US president.
Most of the US presidents have had at least one dog into their presidential term. For Theodore Roosevelt, this was his Scottish Terrier called Fafa.
One of his favorite pastimes as a child was weightlifting, which he took up to stay more active and build his strength.
His first wife would die during childbirth, and he would marry one of his childhood friends in 1886.
A young Theodore Roosevelt would stand and watch the Abraham Lincoln funeral marching by, a very long time before he was set to become one of the next US presidents himself.
Was Theodore Roosevelt a Good President?
Well, it depends who you ask!
Theodore Roosevelt had many good ideas, and many useful policies that he implemented towards the future of the United States we know today.
While there were many policies that modern standards would not agree with (such as his opinion on civil rights versus government’s power over individual freedom), he did a pretty good job to fulfill his role as US president – and he set a good foundation for the presidents who would emerge long after him.
What was Theodore Roosevelt known for?
Theodore Roosevelt was known for a lot of different things, including his role as president of the United States.
Roosevelt is well known for his political ideas, one of which was called the “three C’s”. This stood for Conservation (of resources), Control (of corporations), and Consumer protection.
One of the most famous facts about TDR is that the best-selling teddy bear is named after him.
In 1912, Theodore Roosevelt was shot during one of his famous speeches – and would continue the speech before he went to hospital.
When Did Theodore Roosevelt Die?
Theodore Roosevelt passed away on the 6th of January, 1919.
How Did Theodore Roosevelt Die?
Theodore Roosevelt died after illness (inflammatory rheumatism) and later complications.
Theodore Roosevelt Children
Theodore Roosevelt had five children in total. They were called Theodore III, Kermit, Ethel, Archibald, and Quentin.
Some of Theodore Roosevelt’s children would pass away in the military. Unfortunately, this had a lifelong negative effect on the president’s mental health.
