How did Theodore Roosevelt Jr. become the 26th U.S. president?

Short answer: William McKinley was shot in September 1901, six months into the beginning of his second term. Teddy was his vice president and therefore became president. read more

Long answer: The more interesting aspect is why Theodore Roosevelt became VP in the first place. He first ran unsuccessfully for mayor of New York City in 1886. In 1888, he campaigned for the successful Republican presidential nominee, Benjamin Harrison, who then appointed Roosevelt to the U.S. Civil Service Commission. read more

With the assassination of President William McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt, not quite 43, became the 26th and youngest President in the Nation’s history (1901-1909). He brought new excitement and power to the office, vigorously leading Congress and the American public toward progressive reforms and a strong foreign policy. read more

Theodore Roosevelt Jr. was born on October 27, 1858, at East 20th Street in New York City. He was the second of four children born to socialite Martha Stewart"Mittie" Bulloch and businessman and philanthropist Theodore Roosevelt Sr. (brother of Robert Roosevelt and James A. Roosevelt, all sons of Cornelius Roosevelt). read more