As part of a blog for a class I am in, I was recently asked who my favorite historical figure is. This is probably the easiest question for me to answer: It has always been Theodore Roosevelt. He is the man, the myth, the legend. I have read seven biographies of T.R. and watched countless documentaries on him and his family, and this is a list of total bad*ss things I have learned about him.
1. He formed the Rough Riders
Teddy formed his own private militia. Not only did they kick total a*s, but he also outfitted them all in Brooks Brothers.
2. He was the youngest president
After the assassination of McKinley, Roosevelt was the youngest man to become president, at 42 years old. He was also the first to take over presidency after an assassination and then also get elected.
3. He was a jack-of-all-trades
His jobs outside of the White House included cowboy, lawyer, and war hero. Just to name a few.
4. He was the first American to win the Nobel Peace Prize
In 1906, Roosevelt won the Nobel Peace Prize. He was also the first statesman to win the Nobel Peace Prize, which made it even more controversial.
5. His daughter Alice is baller AF
"If you can't say something good about someone, sit right here by me." I would die to be her best friend.
6. His face is on a mountain
7. He's the only president to be given the Congressional Medal of Honor
His son was also given this award for his part in the D-Day invasion.
8. He could probably beat up all the other presidents
Not only was he just exceptionally athletic, he was a collegiate boxer.
9. He overcame crippling illness as a child
Roosevelt was a very sick child and had to spend much of his childhood at home and inside. This led to his expansive knowledge and reading. He would set up small showcases that resembled museum cases. He eventually overcame his illnesses and turned out to be a total bad*ss because of it.
10. Eleanor Roosevelt
She could honestly have her own list.
11. He created his own political party
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Not only is this just a total Kanye-esque move, it was called "the Bull Moose party." This was after a split in the Republican party.
12. Teddy Roosevelt skinny-dipped in the Potomac river
He really liked to become one with nature.
Postscript:
Not as something that is particularly awesome at all, but still really interesting, his wife and mother died on the same day, Feb. 14,1886. His journal entry for the day read, "The light has gone out of my life."
