Episode 11 - TR Presidential "Firsts"

Kurt and Larry discuss some "firsts" associated with Theodore Roosevelt's presidency 

https://www.talkaboutteddy.com/ 

Episode Transcript

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.001com thank you for your encouragement, support, and continued interest. 16 00:01:12,826.001 --> 00:01:16,536.001 President Theodore Roosevelt has been credited with many firsts. 17 00:01:17,256.001 --> 00:01:21,786.001 Some of these firsts attributed to TR may be more myth than fact. 18 00:01:22,676.0005 --> 00:01:30,596.001 for our show today, we will only discuss the firsts and mosts can verify with reliable and documentable sources. 19 00:01:31,496.001 --> 00:01:39,566.001 We'll present TR's accomplishments chronologically, and all of our sources will be available on the blog, on our website, talkaboutteddy. 20 00:01:40,902.001 --> 00:01:41,642.001 All right, Larry. 21 00:01:41,642.001 --> 00:01:55,192.001 So, uh, one of our firsts here, uh, Vice President Theodore Roosevelt became the youngest man ever to become president at the age of 42, following the death of President William McKinley. 22 00:01:56,126.001 --> 00:02:24,16.001 Yeah, President McKinley had been shot on September 6th at the Pan American Exposition in Buffalo, New York While TR was in Vermont on Lake Champlain speaking with the governor and he ends up Racing back to Buffalo to see how President McKinley was doing and ends up going at the urging of The doctors and President McKinley's cabinet to join his family in the Adirondacks a camping trip. 23 00:02:24,16.001 --> 00:02:24,356.001 So T. 24 00:02:24,356.001 --> 00:02:24,496.001 R. 25 00:02:24,496.001 --> 00:02:27,417.001 heads up that way and he gets a Mhm. 26 00:02:27,876.001 --> 00:02:41,276.001 and in the evening races off the mountain from the Tahas Club where he was staying to the North Creek Station and to Buffalo and that day becomes the youngest president. 27 00:02:42,237.001 --> 00:02:43,187.001 In American history. 28 00:02:43,187.001 --> 00:02:47,947.001 So we've got, uh, some folks, uh, immediately think of John F. 29 00:02:47,947.001 --> 00:02:55,417 Kennedy being the youngest president ever elected, uh, at the age of 43 in 1960, which is true. 30 00:02:55,507.001 --> 00:02:59,937.002 Roosevelt is not elected in his own right until 1904. 31 00:03:00,117.002 --> 00:03:11,277.002 Um, but comes to the presidency through the grave as it were in, in 1901, still the youngest person in American history to become president. 32 00:03:11,376.001 --> 00:03:11,626.001 Yeah. 33 00:03:13,446.002 --> 00:03:17,6.002 And number two, October 16th, 1901. 34 00:03:17,866.002 --> 00:03:17,996.002 R. 35 00:03:17,996.002 --> 00:03:22,996.001 is the first president to invite an African American to dine at the White House. 36 00:03:23,886.002 --> 00:03:30,116.0015 He moved into the White House in late 1901, and he invited famed educator, Booker T. 37 00:03:30,116.0015 --> 00:03:32,436.001 Washington, to have dinner with the first family. 38 00:03:33,226.001 --> 00:03:33,556.001 Now, T. 39 00:03:33,566.002 --> 00:03:33,666.002 R. 40 00:03:33,666.002 --> 00:03:34,376.002 had met Mr. 41 00:03:34,376.002 --> 00:03:36,746.002 Washington back in 1898, while he was governor. 42 00:03:37,556.002 --> 00:03:42,256.002 But the dinner sparked an angry backlash from southern politicians and the press. 43 00:03:43,257.002 --> 00:03:43,977.002 oh my, yeah. 44 00:03:44,11.002 --> 00:03:52,691.002 yeah, according to some newspaper reports, they said several Negroes, end quote, attended a White House reception in January of 1903. 45 00:03:53,531.002 --> 00:04:01,811.002 Southern newspapers railed The Roanoke Times in Virginia wrote that Teddy makes another break, implying that he had broken with etiquette and protocol. 46 00:04:02,921.002 --> 00:04:03,961.003 But, yeah, Mr. 47 00:04:03,961.003 --> 00:04:09,191.003 Washington became an advisor to TR on race politics and Southern politics in general. 48 00:04:10,167.003 --> 00:04:23,277.003 Yeah, we can't even read, um, for, uh, for public consumption any of the, even the headlines from many of the southern newspapers when, uh, when this first broke But, uh, but needless to say. 49 00:04:23,492.003 --> 00:04:28,392.003 Um, Roosevelt, continued to meet with Booker T. 50 00:04:28,392.003 --> 00:04:31,192.003 Washington just, uh, a little more discreetly. 51 00:04:31,242.003 --> 00:04:32,62.003 in Washington, D. 52 00:04:32,62.003 --> 00:04:32,432.003 C. 53 00:04:33,371.003 --> 00:04:46,881.002 Well, uh, speaking of the White House, it was Roosevelt who actually renamed the executive mansion as it had been known since Thomas Jefferson had lived there, uh, as the White House. 54 00:04:46,891.002 --> 00:04:49,661.002 So, October 17th, 1901. 55 00:04:50,761.002 --> 00:04:55,811.002 Uh, his secretary, George Cordelieu, sent a letter to the secretary of state, John Hay. 56 00:04:56,76.002 --> 00:05:16,886.001 Sharing TR's request to change the headings, the dateline, and all official papers and documents requiring the president's signature from the executive mansion to the quote, White House, and similar directives were sent to all the other cabinet secretaries and TR changed the, the presidential stationary shortly after that as well. 57 00:05:17,765.002 --> 00:05:23,385.002 and even as calling cards TR had made that said White House, Washington. 58 00:05:24,35.002 --> 00:05:25,685.002 Yeah, we take that for granted now too. 59 00:05:25,834.003 --> 00:05:26,354.003 change. 60 00:05:27,584.002 --> 00:05:28,24.004 We do. 61 00:05:30,4.003 --> 00:05:38,973.903 Our next one is in February of 1902 is the first president to study the Japanese martial art of Jiu Jitsu. 62 00:05:40,44.003 --> 00:05:42,904.003 There was an American physician, William Sturgis Bigelow. 63 00:05:43,824.003 --> 00:05:45,964.003 may have introduced this martial art to T. 64 00:05:45,964.003 --> 00:05:46,244.003 R. 65 00:05:46,604.003 --> 00:05:47,574.003 He also, T. 66 00:05:47,574.003 --> 00:05:47,674.003 R. 67 00:05:47,674.003 --> 00:05:50,634.003 did, took a number of lessons from Professor John O'Brien. 68 00:05:51,514.003 --> 00:05:52,94.002 I like T. 69 00:05:52,94.002 --> 00:05:52,204.002 R. 70 00:05:52,214.002 --> 00:05:55,904.003 's description of jiu jitsu, that it's marvelous, but difficult to learn. 71 00:05:56,834.002 --> 00:06:04,424.003 And in 1904, he had Yamashita Yoshiaki, early student of Judo, give him lessons at the White House for two months. 72 00:06:05,254.003 --> 00:06:07,244.003 And there's some that attribute T. 73 00:06:07,244.003 --> 00:06:07,424.003 R. 74 00:06:07,424.003 --> 00:06:10,944.002 studying the Asian martial arts, and the press covering it. 75 00:06:12,9.003 --> 00:06:15,389.003 To helping those arts gain a foothold in the U. 76 00:06:15,389.003 --> 00:06:15,789.003 S. 77 00:06:16,515.003 --> 00:06:20,235.003 Yeah, so Bigelow he was quite the student of Japan. 78 00:06:20,235.003 --> 00:06:22,745.003 Uh, I think a huge collector of Japanese art. 79 00:06:22,795.003 --> 00:06:27,195.003 He donated, uh, all of his art collection to museums in America. 80 00:06:27,285.003 --> 00:06:32,105.003 It's like the largest Japanese art collection outside of Japan, I believe. 81 00:06:32,125.003 --> 00:06:36,275.003 But yeah, I, I did find a letter, uh, of, Bigelow. 82 00:06:37,160.003 --> 00:06:39,450.003 Uh, introducing this guy, John J. 83 00:06:39,450.003 --> 00:07:01,19.003 Bryan, who'd been a police officer in Nagasaki, um, who was, you know, once he was, he, you know, living in Nagasaki, he picks up the, uh, jiu jitsu, uh, he says that all the police officers there in Japan are trained in jiu jitsu, so, You know, of course, Roosevelt, uh, is, is fond of, of learning any new physical yes. 84 00:07:01,350.003 --> 00:07:07,274.983 he can, heh, heh, he can, Um, do in the White House there beside boxing and, and wrestling. 85 00:07:08,34.983 --> 00:07:11,994.984 I think he took lessons with O'Brien, for a while there. 86 00:07:12,484.984 --> 00:07:25,244.985 and hurt himself, uh, I think not doing jujitsu, but I think he took a good tumble, uh, in Rock Creek Park in DC and had to discontinue his lessons for a while. 87 00:07:25,244.985 --> 00:07:32,284.985 But, yeah, this, uh, Yamashito Yoshiaki, apologize if I'm mispronouncing that, but. 88 00:07:33,464.985 --> 00:07:35,863.985 Yeah, that's, Bigelow as Bigelow. 89 00:07:35,943.984 --> 00:07:37,73.985 I apologize for that. 90 00:07:37,523.985 --> 00:07:51,104.985 Uh yeah, and you can't help but wonder too, you know, we're going to talk about this with, a dispute between Japan and Russia that, uh, I think Roosevelt had tremendous respect for the Japanese. 91 00:07:51,784.985 --> 00:08:01,364.984 code of honor and, uh, and chivalry and this, you know, physical arts of things like jiu jitsu that he admired that in the Japanese culture. 92 00:08:01,614.984 --> 00:08:02,183.985 So, bit. 93 00:08:02,683.985 --> 00:08:03,93.985 Yes. 94 00:08:03,794.985 --> 00:08:06,334.985 all right, well, we'll go move on to another here. 95 00:08:06,394.985 --> 00:08:21,959.985 we found that TR was the first president to be a member of Uh, TR was the first president to attend a convention of, uh, of a railway labor organization at the invitation of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen. 96 00:08:22,119.985 --> 00:08:35,969.985 Uh, he was, so he, TR was president at the opening ceremonies, uh, of the convention in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and then was elected to an honorary membership in the organization. 97 00:08:36,49.985 --> 00:08:42,563.985 And this is, uh, 1902, Yeah, and he loved trains and we'll talk about that in just a little bit. 98 00:08:43,793.985 --> 00:08:46,983.985 rode in the engine on some, not just for photo ops. 99 00:08:47,83.985 --> 00:08:51,783.985 There were times he would be the one guiding and directing the train. 100 00:08:51,783.985 --> 00:08:54,679.985 So, but it does make for a good photo op. 101 00:08:55,903.985 --> 00:08:56,693.984 oh, it does too. 102 00:08:56,733.984 --> 00:08:57,123.984 Yes. 103 00:08:58,33.985 --> 00:09:01,193.985 Well, our next one is June 17th, 1902. 104 00:09:03,278.985 --> 00:09:08,308.985 It was during TR's administration the first Water Reclamation Act was passed by Congress. 105 00:09:09,268.985 --> 00:09:13,308.985 In 1902, irrigation projects were known as reclamation projects. 106 00:09:13,448.985 --> 00:09:17,628.985 It was the idea that irrigation could reclaim the arid lands for human use. 107 00:09:18,378.985 --> 00:09:24,133.985 supporters of irrigation believed These reclamation programs would encourage Western settlement. 108 00:09:25,83.985 --> 00:09:32,293.985 It allowed families to live on farms and TR supported that movement because he believed families in homesteading. 109 00:09:33,23.985 --> 00:09:40,73.985 from 1902 to 1907, there were about 30 projects that began in the Western states for reclamation. 110 00:09:41,529.985 --> 00:09:41,949.985 Mm hmm. 111 00:09:41,949.985 --> 00:09:42,309.985 Okay. 112 00:09:42,309.985 --> 00:09:55,339.985 Another, uh, another first in August 22nd, 1902 TR, uh, was documented as the first president to use an automobile while conducting official duties as president. 113 00:09:55,349.985 --> 00:10:00,769.985 So even though, uh, William McKinley, uh, was the first president to actually ride. 114 00:10:01,24.985 --> 00:10:02,684.985 In a new automobile. 115 00:10:03,94.985 --> 00:10:03,914.985 Um, it was T. 116 00:10:03,914.985 --> 00:10:04,94.985 R. 117 00:10:04,94.985 --> 00:10:12,424.985 's the first to appear in an automobile as an official presidential appearance when he toured Hartford, Connecticut on the 22nd of August, 1902. 118 00:10:13,54.985 --> 00:10:28,854.984 Uh, it was said that cheering supporters greeted President Roosevelt at all points along the parade route, which he traversed, uh, in the words of, uh, of the Indianapolis Journal, a, quote, handsome Victoria automobile in charge of two expert New York chauffeurs. 119 00:10:31,393.985 --> 00:10:31,723.985 Yep. 120 00:10:32,193.985 --> 00:10:33,963.985 I love the vehicle he's in. 121 00:10:33,963.985 --> 00:10:39,343.985 It's the Columbia Electric Victoria Fayton. 122 00:10:40,453.985 --> 00:10:42,144.985 It's like the He hit 10. 123 00:10:42,163.985 --> 00:10:42,583.985 models. 124 00:10:42,903.985 --> 00:10:45,933.985 It had an external box for the driver that was up above. 125 00:10:45,933.985 --> 00:10:51,273.985 So it almost looks like a handsome cab, the carriages, but no horses. 126 00:10:51,723.984 --> 00:10:57,653.984 And there were two 20 volt batteries, about 800 pounds that were on the automobile. 127 00:10:58,93.984 --> 00:11:05,273.985 The tires were made of rubber the driver had a choice of four speeds with the maximum being 13 miles an hour. 128 00:11:08,13.985 --> 00:11:12,133.985 And the car was, factory that made the Columbia electric vehicle. 129 00:11:12,753.985 --> 00:11:14,333.985 It was in Hartford, Connecticut. 130 00:11:14,343.985 --> 00:11:22,233.985 So, perfect advertising to have the president ride around in automobile that's made in your town when he visits. 131 00:11:22,243.985 --> 00:11:41,524.985 So, Yeah, and what comes to mind too is, uh, is daughter Alice, uh, racing around the streets of DC in an automobile, probably the first, first daughter, uh, to race around at speeds, perhaps approaching 20 miles an hour, uh, in the nation's capital. 132 00:11:45,93.985 --> 00:11:47,673.985 Our next one is a sad one. 133 00:11:48,363.985 --> 00:11:51,103.985 September 3rd, 1902, T. 134 00:11:51,103.985 --> 00:11:51,253.985 R. 135 00:11:51,253.985 --> 00:11:56,423.985 was the first president to have a Secret Service agent die in the line of duty. 136 00:11:57,353.985 --> 00:12:00,483.985 Agent William, Big Bill was his nickname, Craig. 137 00:12:01,193.985 --> 00:12:03,533.985 had joined the United States Secret Service in 1900. 138 00:12:04,523.985 --> 00:12:09,553.985 Originally, Secret Service agents, their main duty was to arrest counterfeiters. 139 00:12:10,383.985 --> 00:12:21,533.984 But after President McKinley was assassinated in September of 1901, passed legislation that added protecting the President to the official duties of the Secret Service. 140 00:12:23,3.985 --> 00:12:25,764.985 And Agent Craig had been with President uh. 141 00:12:25,855.085 --> 00:12:31,323.985 Yeah, and he had been assigned to the TR's protection detail. 142 00:12:32,278.985 --> 00:12:32,758.985 And T. 143 00:12:32,758.985 --> 00:12:32,928.985 R. 144 00:12:32,928.985 --> 00:12:36,738.985 called Agent Craig, quote, my shadow, end quote. 145 00:12:37,508.985 --> 00:12:40,398.985 And the Roosevelt children loved Agent Craig. 146 00:12:40,958.984 --> 00:12:43,518.984 So it was September 3rd, 1902. 147 00:12:43,678.984 --> 00:12:54,78.9835 Um, and when Agent Craig was sitting in the front of the carriage, uh, when it was struck by that speeding trolley car, in, it was in Pittsfields, Massachusetts, and T. 148 00:12:54,78.9835 --> 00:12:54,228.983 R. 149 00:12:54,228.984 --> 00:12:55,842.984 was riding in the back with, Yeah. 150 00:12:56,413.984 --> 00:13:09,413.984 The Massachusetts Governor, uh, Winthrop Crane, and also TR's personal secretary, George Corlew, um, Agent Craig was thrown from the carriage and, and crushed, uh, by the trolley. 151 00:13:09,963.984 --> 00:13:18,332.984 And the carriage driver, uh, was seriously injured and TR was also thrown about 30 feet from the carriage, uh, but Yeah. 152 00:13:18,558.984 --> 00:13:28,118.983 received bad cuts and bruises and had a, had a pretty nasty injury to his left leg that would cause him troubles for the rest of his life. 153 00:13:28,128.984 --> 00:13:28,528.984 Really. 154 00:13:29,188.983 --> 00:13:34,608.984 Um, secretary Corlew had a, had a cut to the back of the head and one of the horses was so injured. 155 00:13:34,608.984 --> 00:13:35,608.984 It had to be put down. 156 00:13:36,268.984 --> 00:13:40,388.984 Uh, but it seems that the governor crane escaped with no injuries somehow. 157 00:13:40,588.984 --> 00:13:54,738.984 Um, Uh, a agent Craig was of Scottish Birth, born in 1855, and he was a big man, you know, six foot four, uh, weighed about two 60, and, uh, he'd been in the, in the royal horse guards in the British Army. 158 00:13:54,858.984 --> 00:13:58,938.984 Um, and, uh, and supposedly was even tasked for a while with the garden. 159 00:13:58,938.984 --> 00:13:59,928.984 Queen Victoria. 160 00:14:01,92.984 --> 00:14:01,472.984 Yeah. 161 00:14:02,392.984 --> 00:14:02,832.983 I know T. 162 00:14:02,832.984 --> 00:14:03,2.984 R. 163 00:14:03,2.984 --> 00:14:09,502.984 said of Agent Craig that he was a sturdy character and tremendously capable in performing his duties. 164 00:14:09,832.984 --> 00:14:11,522.984 My children thought a great deal of him. 165 00:14:11,987.984 --> 00:14:12,747.984 We all did. 166 00:14:14,448.984 --> 00:14:14,778.984 Yeah. 167 00:14:15,78.984 --> 00:14:21,978.984 Yeah, he was, he was pretty, pretty crushed by, uh, by the loss of, of Craig. 168 00:14:23,153.984 --> 00:14:27,223.984 Well, our next first, as it were, October 3rd, 1902, T. 169 00:14:27,223.984 --> 00:14:27,383.984 R. 170 00:14:27,383.984 --> 00:14:33,183.983 was the first president to, uh, act as federal arbitrator between labor and management. 171 00:14:33,193.984 --> 00:14:41,623.983 So, in this effort to settle this, ongoing coal strike, going into the winter of, of October 1902, T. 172 00:14:41,623.983 --> 00:14:41,783.983 R. 173 00:14:41,783.983 --> 00:14:47,744.083 called, uh, a meeting, temporary White House in Lafayette Place in D. 174 00:14:47,744.083 --> 00:14:48,144.083 C. 175 00:14:48,534.083 --> 00:14:58,134.0835 Since the White House was being renovated, that's another story, so there was an ongoing coal strike, uh, the anthracite coal fields in Pennsylvania, and, uh, T. 176 00:14:58,134.0835 --> 00:14:58,264.083 R. 177 00:14:58,264.084 --> 00:15:06,889.084 understood that, that, uh, there would be, quote, untold misery, Uh, with the uncertainty of riots, which might develop into a social war. 178 00:15:06,889.084 --> 00:15:11,899.084 So he felt like he, he really had no choice but to intervene. 179 00:15:12,99.084 --> 00:15:19,549.084 Um, so, you know, he sends telegrams to, to both sides, summoning them to Washington to talk about the problem. 180 00:15:19,769.084 --> 00:15:25,749.084 but again, he was still recovering from, from the injuries from that trolley accident we just talked about. 181 00:15:26,49.084 --> 00:15:32,999.084 And, so there he is in his wheelchair, uh, pleading with the representatives of management and labor. 182 00:15:34,898.084 --> 00:16:04,623.084 Yeah, there's a quote that he has that with all the earnestness there is in me that there be an immediate resumption of operations in the coal mines in Some such way as will meet the crying needs of the people so it took a lot of negotiating But in the end his efforts were successful the strike ended And both sides finally agreed to the findings of the anthracite coal strike commission, which TR had appointed that, to investigate all the matters related to the strike. 183 00:16:05,53.084 --> 00:16:13,303.084 And peace was restored in the coalfields, and more important in the long run, a new role was established for the federal government in labor disputes. 184 00:16:14,133.084 --> 00:16:17,403.084 the miners had asked for about 20 percent wage increase. 185 00:16:18,113.084 --> 00:16:20,403.084 Most were given about a 10 percent increase. 186 00:16:21,183.084 --> 00:16:23,433.083 They had also asked for an 8 hour workday. 187 00:16:24,453.084 --> 00:16:26,3.084 had 10 plus hour workdays. 188 00:16:27,193.084 --> 00:16:28,903.084 They were given a 9 hour workday. 189 00:16:29,869.084 --> 00:16:47,143.084 Yeah, that's a big turning point, uh, for federal arbitration, um, labor disputes pretty much for Much of American history, the government had always sided with, Business leaders, uh, against the interests of, of organized labor for sure. 190 00:16:47,173.085 --> 00:16:48,373.084 So big turning point. 191 00:16:50,217.085 --> 00:16:53,397.085 Our next first is 1903, T. 192 00:16:53,397.085 --> 00:16:53,527.085 R. 193 00:16:53,527.085 --> 00:16:57,247.085 is the first president to install a tennis court at the White House. 194 00:16:58,447.085 --> 00:17:07,72.085 According to newspaper reports, the tennis court was completed in the spring of 1903, and it cost 500. 195 00:17:07,842.085 --> 00:17:19,12.085 It was installed under the direction of TR, although there's many historians who think Edith wanted the installation because she was worried about TR's growing waistline. 196 00:17:19,952.085 --> 00:17:22,682.085 Um, he eventually created a tennis cabinet. 197 00:17:22,852.085 --> 00:17:26,402.085 It was a group of close advisors who played tennis with him in the afternoons. 198 00:17:28,82.085 --> 00:17:35,517.085 there's photographs of There's photographs of the tennis cabinet, but you will never see a photograph of T. 199 00:17:35,517.085 --> 00:17:35,697.085 R. 200 00:17:35,737.085 --> 00:17:37,317.085 in the tennis outfit. 201 00:17:38,187.085 --> 00:17:39,927.084 He thought that was a little too effete. 202 00:17:41,813.085 --> 00:17:43,203.085 Yeah, well, right. 203 00:17:43,203.086 --> 00:17:53,763.086 I mean, how, how interesting that, uh, not a single picture has ever surfaced of, of TR wearing tennis attire. 204 00:17:54,137.086 --> 00:17:55,347.086 He would not let it be done. 205 00:17:56,533.086 --> 00:17:58,883.086 Yeah, very interesting. 206 00:17:58,963.086 --> 00:18:05,463.086 But so that tennis court, um, you will not see that very tennis court today. 207 00:18:05,463.086 --> 00:18:10,413.086 There is a tennis court on the white house ground still, but it's in a different location. 208 00:18:10,553.086 --> 00:18:20,73.085 Um, but this tennis court was put right behind what, uh, what becomes the West wing, which was part of that remodel that we had just talked about. 209 00:18:20,103.085 --> 00:18:23,573.085 So, um, we'll put pictures of that up on the website as well. 210 00:18:23,797.086 --> 00:18:26,723.086 Yeah, Along with, uh, T. 211 00:18:26,723.086 --> 00:18:26,973.086 R. 212 00:18:26,973.086 --> 00:18:32,477.086 and, and his, uh, tennis cabinet, and I love you know, of the tennis cabinet. 213 00:18:32,577.086 --> 00:18:40,872.086 Um, you just, took the picture on March 1st, 1909, right before Taft's inauguration as TR was leaving. 214 00:18:41,612.086 --> 00:18:42,272.086 a luncheon. 215 00:18:42,652.086 --> 00:18:49,742.086 There was the military aid, Captain Archie Butt, who later perishes on the Titanic. 216 00:18:50,652.0855 --> 00:18:51,552.085 the chief U. 217 00:18:51,552.086 --> 00:18:51,702.086 S. 218 00:18:51,702.086 --> 00:18:58,932.086 Forest Service, Gifford Pinchot, French Ambassador Jean Jules Gisseron, the Secretary of the Interior, James R. 219 00:18:58,932.086 --> 00:19:00,232.086 Garfield, U. 220 00:19:00,232.086 --> 00:19:00,392.086 S. 221 00:19:00,402.086 --> 00:19:08,202.085 Marshal Seth Bullock, Secretary of State Robert Bacon, and even one of TR's ranch hands from the Elkhorn Ranch in the Dakotas. 222 00:19:09,102.086 --> 00:19:12,992.086 Bill Sewell, and a lot of other government friends and officials and all. 223 00:19:12,992.086 --> 00:19:26,312.086 So,, when they took the they had the bronze by Alexander Proctor, sculpture of Stalking Panther, that's what they presented to TR as a commemoration of being on the tennis cabinet. 224 00:19:27,343.086 --> 00:19:30,33.086 which you can still see today in Sagamore Hill. 225 00:19:31,223.086 --> 00:19:31,613.086 Yeah. 226 00:19:31,652.085 --> 00:19:33,572.086 where And, uh, July. 227 00:19:34,263.086 --> 00:19:34,933.086 right. 228 00:19:35,103.086 --> 00:19:35,493.086 Yeah. 229 00:19:35,742.186 --> 00:19:37,232.086 I'll give we just had a, here. 230 00:19:38,323.086 --> 00:19:47,33.086 and we just had a good conversation with, uh, Michael Patrick Cullinane that, his ongoing research has to do with Roosevelt's tennis cabinet. 231 00:19:47,33.086 --> 00:19:53,513.086 So we are all very much looking forward to that upcoming book, whenever that is released. 232 00:19:53,677.086 --> 00:20:02,618.086 yeah, All right, our next first TR was the first president to establish a national wildlife refuge. 233 00:20:03,88.086 --> 00:20:12,308.086 Uh, so on, uh, 14 March, 1903, uh, he establishes Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge on the Florida, Atlantic coastline. 234 00:20:12,588.086 --> 00:20:18,408.086 So this is going to be the first of, 51 bird preserves in, in the United States. 235 00:20:19,583.086 --> 00:20:27,223.086 Along those same lines, TR also establishes the first national game preserves, the, the bison preserve down in Wichita Forest, Oklahoma. 236 00:20:27,903.086 --> 00:20:32,703.085 Um, so a lot of firsts associated with, game preserve. 237 00:20:32,922.085 --> 00:20:38,432.085 Yeah, our next one, it's April 1st through June 5th, 1903. 238 00:20:39,302.085 --> 00:20:44,32.085 is the first president to use an entire train dedicated to campaign staff. 239 00:20:44,672.085 --> 00:20:47,312.085 It was during the 1903 Great Western Loop tour. 240 00:20:47,762.085 --> 00:20:50,282.085 He starts April 1st in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. 241 00:20:51,412.085 --> 00:20:55,592.085 673 speeches, over 21,000 miles. 242 00:20:56,352.085 --> 00:21:00,42.085 Um, and like we mentioned earlier with the trains, he loved. 243 00:21:00,262.085 --> 00:21:11,712.085 to ride the cab, and he knew how to operate the locomotive pulling the heavy load, John Quincy Adams was the first president to ever ride in a train, but T. 244 00:21:11,712.085 --> 00:21:11,852.085 R. 245 00:21:11,852.085 --> 00:21:14,522.085 had the entire train dedicated to his staff. 246 00:21:14,562.085 --> 00:21:16,581.985 So, all the way back. 247 00:21:16,742.085 --> 00:21:19,2.085 From Harrisburg, across the U. 248 00:21:19,2.085 --> 00:21:19,182.085 S. 249 00:21:19,182.085 --> 00:21:22,522.085 to Yellowstone, back down around to St. 250 00:21:22,522.085 --> 00:21:26,432.085 Louis, then over to the Grand Canyon, and then to Yosemite with Mr. 251 00:21:26,432.085 --> 00:21:52,392.085 John Muir, camping in three eventful evenings, and then heading back, think of that two, over two months traveling all of the Western United States by train, um, a lot of people call that a vacation, but when you look at what, 673 speeches in a two month period across two dozen states. 252 00:21:52,432.085 --> 00:21:54,122.084 I mean, that's a astonishing. 253 00:21:54,276.085 --> 00:22:13,476.085 I know reading the book about the Marquette libel trial that TR was involved in and they had the depositions there and the statements on the witness stand and TR mentioned that when His voice would grow hoarse from too much speaking which happened quite a bit to him 1900 all these different times. 254 00:22:14,626.085 --> 00:22:21,941.085 His cure, never attempted this, was a glass of milk With a teaspoon full of brandy right before bed. 255 00:22:24,321.085 --> 00:22:24,951.085 Mmm. 256 00:22:26,451.085 --> 00:22:36,502.085 I'm not sure that's a cure I'd be tempted to try, but Yeah, that was probably about the extent of, of his drinking too, uh, from most accounts, you know. 257 00:22:37,401.084 --> 00:22:40,901.085 some white wine at supper, but we may have to do that as another podcast. 258 00:22:40,911.085 --> 00:22:42,281.086 The Marquette Libel Trial. 259 00:22:43,152.084 --> 00:22:43,462.084 Okay. 260 00:22:43,932.085 --> 00:22:45,592.085 All right, put it on the list, Larry. 261 00:22:46,712.085 --> 00:22:54,652.085 Well, we've got another first, uh, TR was the first president to send a trans pacific cable, for the purpose of diplomacy. 262 00:22:54,752.085 --> 00:23:05,632.085 on the 4th of July, 1903, TR, uh, completed the cable from San Francisco to Manila, uh, via the Commercial Pacific Cable Company. 263 00:23:06,202.085 --> 00:23:16,482.085 Uh, TR commemorated that opening by sending a telegraph message that connected those links from Manila, uh, all the way from Oyster Bay, Long Island. 264 00:23:16,562.085 --> 00:23:21,962.085 Um, the message reportedly took about 12 minutes to arrive. 265 00:23:22,616.085 --> 00:23:24,297.085 And he was sending Instantaneous. 266 00:23:24,496.085 --> 00:23:29,277.085 Governor William Howard Taft, was in Manila, Right, right. 267 00:23:29,547.085 --> 00:23:32,427.085 That would have been Governor General Taft in Manila. 268 00:23:32,687.085 --> 00:23:33,177.085 That's right. 269 00:23:34,241.285 --> 00:23:36,981.285 Our next first, August 22nd, 1905. 270 00:23:37,861.285 --> 00:23:37,991.285 R. 271 00:23:37,991.285 --> 00:23:41,221.285 is the first president to be submerged in a submarine. 272 00:23:41,991.285 --> 00:23:43,931.285 climbs aboard the USS Plunger. 273 00:23:44,401.284 --> 00:23:45,601.285 I'm not certain about that name. 274 00:23:46,21.284 --> 00:23:47,441.285 In Long Island sound. 275 00:23:49,931.285 --> 00:23:51,541.285 He goes on board about 3. 276 00:23:51,541.385 --> 00:23:52,351.284 30 in the afternoon. 277 00:23:52,521.284 --> 00:23:55,161.285 And he stays on board until a little after 6. 278 00:23:56,261.285 --> 00:24:00,941.285 And at one point they spent around an hour completely submerged. 279 00:24:01,511.285 --> 00:24:10,896.285 And I remember reading one account where TR wanted to turn all the dials and pull the levers and captain of the vessel would not allow it, understandably. 280 00:24:13,197.285 --> 00:24:29,552.286 There's a great illustration with the news article about it shows TR in every crevice and corner of this submarine trying to work all the instruments and everything there. 281 00:24:29,572.286 --> 00:24:31,282.286 It's, it's a great picture. 282 00:24:31,282.286 --> 00:24:32,592.286 We'll post that one on the site. 283 00:24:34,373.285 --> 00:24:34,613.285 Yeah. 284 00:24:34,613.285 --> 00:24:40,133.286 I mean, in 1905, this is, uh, early technology this is pretty rudimentary. 285 00:24:40,213.286 --> 00:24:52,308.2845 Uh, this, this submarine, Yeah, and I was reading one of the early commanders of, of this was right out of the Naval Academy, Ensign, uh, Chester Nimitz. 286 00:24:52,708.3855 --> 00:24:55,608.2855 It becomes a future fleet admiral. 287 00:24:55,608.2855 --> 00:25:01,847.348 So shortly after this, um, this thing is commanded by the future five star admiral Yeah. 288 00:25:02,208.2845 --> 00:25:02,748.2845 Nimitz. 289 00:25:02,768.2855 --> 00:25:05,238.2855 Uh, so it's pretty amazing story. 290 00:25:07,988.2855 --> 00:25:09,128.285 Uh, okay. 291 00:25:09,128.285 --> 00:25:13,658.2845 So, I guess, continuing on with conservation, June 8th, 1906, T. 292 00:25:13,658.2845 --> 00:25:13,838.2845 R. 293 00:25:13,848.2845 --> 00:25:29,498.2845 is the first president to proclaim a national monument, um, because of the Antiquities Act, or the Act for the Preservation of American Antiquities, signed into law on the 8th of June, 1906, um, and It, uh, it's the first U. 294 00:25:29,498.2845 --> 00:25:29,648.2845 S. 295 00:25:29,648.2845 --> 00:25:36,818.2845 law that provides, legal protection of, uh, cultural and natural resources of historic or scientific interest on federal lands. 296 00:25:36,818.2845 --> 00:25:46,387.345 So TR then uses this act to, uh, so Devil's Tower becomes, that first national monument and, uh, the first of 18 Yeah. 297 00:25:46,418.2825 --> 00:25:47,468.2825 national monuments. 298 00:25:48,317.345 --> 00:25:48,617.345 Yeah. 299 00:25:48,657.345 --> 00:25:54,158.2825 When you look through the list, there's a number of them that have become national parks, Yeah. 300 00:25:54,287.345 --> 00:25:55,947.344 can go through the list for everyone if they'd like. 301 00:25:55,947.345 --> 00:26:02,518.2825 We've got El Morro in New Mexico, 1906, Montezuma Castle, Arizona, 1906. 302 00:26:02,977.345 --> 00:26:08,338.2825 Petrified Forest in Arizona, 1906, which is now a national park, Yup. 303 00:26:08,368.2825 --> 00:26:10,668.2825 Chaco Canyon in New Mexico in 07. 304 00:26:11,377.345 --> 00:26:17,377.345 Lesson Peak in California in 1907, which is now Volcanic National Park. 305 00:26:19,88.2825 --> 00:26:20,677.345 Along the Cinder Cone, Yes. 306 00:26:21,178.2825 --> 00:26:28,207.244 also part of Lassen, And then gila Cliff Dwellings in New Mexico in 1907. 307 00:26:28,918.2825 --> 00:26:34,367.345 and Tonto in Arizona in 07, And Muir Woods in California in 1908. 308 00:26:36,68.2825 --> 00:26:48,537.345 and then, uh, then this little piece of land on an Arizona, uh, called the Grand Canyon, uh, in 1908, which is now obviously a national park, Same with Pinnacles in California. 309 00:26:48,537.345 --> 00:26:50,927.344 It was 1908 and it's now a national park. 310 00:26:52,48.2825 --> 00:26:57,287.345 and Jewel Cave in South Dakota in 08, And Natural Bridges in Utah in 08. 311 00:26:58,798.2825 --> 00:27:04,58.2815 Lewis and Clark Caverns in Montana, which, uh, is now a Montana state park. 312 00:27:05,826.4075 --> 00:27:07,876.4075 Tumacacori in Arizona in 1908. 313 00:27:08,967.345 --> 00:27:17,537.345 And Wheeler, here in my state of Colorado, uh, in 1908, which, uh, it's now, uh, now a geologic area. 314 00:27:17,597.344 --> 00:27:21,277.345 No longer, uh, a designation as a national monument. 315 00:27:21,936.4075 --> 00:27:25,256.4075 Yeah, part of the Rio Grande National Forest. 316 00:27:25,806.4075 --> 00:27:29,576.4075 And then we have Mount Olympus in Washington from 1909. 317 00:27:30,6.4075 --> 00:27:31,946.4065 It's now part of Olympic National Park. 318 00:27:33,207.344 --> 00:27:33,487.344 Wow. 319 00:27:33,846.4075 --> 00:27:34,96.4075 Yeah. 320 00:27:35,266.4075 --> 00:27:44,936.4075 And continuing with the conservation, from 1902 to 1906, TR was the first president to establish five national parks during his administration. 321 00:27:45,896.4075 --> 00:27:50,761.4075 Previous presidents from President Grant on it saved six national parks. 322 00:27:51,581.4075 --> 00:27:55,711.4075 The first was Yellowstone in 1872 established by President Grant. 323 00:27:56,601.4075 --> 00:28:07,221.4075 And then the next one from 1875 to 1895 was Mackinac National Park, which became Mackinac Island State Park in 1895. 324 00:28:07,221.4075 --> 00:28:12,511.4075 So it's not counted as one of the national parks when TR becomes president since it had been taken out. 325 00:28:13,621.4075 --> 00:28:31,386.4075 And then the third, fourth, and fifth national parks were In 1890, Sequoia National Park, General Grant National Park, which is now known as General Grant's Grove and Kings Canyon National Park, and then Yosemite National Park under President Benjamin Harrison. 326 00:28:31,666.4075 --> 00:28:36,126.4075 And then in 1895, President William McKinley established Mount Rainier National Park. 327 00:28:38,87.345 --> 00:28:39,577.345 So, so the five that T. 328 00:28:39,577.345 --> 00:28:39,757.345 R. 329 00:28:39,757.345 --> 00:28:45,967.345 creates then, uh, his first is Crater Lake, um, National Park in Oregon in, in 02., 330 00:28:46,772.345 --> 00:29:00,82.345 Wind Cave in South Dakota in 03, Solis Hill in North Dakota, which, uh, that was in 1904, and that's now, uh, called White Horse Hill, it's a National Game Preserve, um, managed by the U. 331 00:29:00,82.345 --> 00:29:00,222.345 S. 332 00:29:00,222.345 --> 00:29:28,122.344 Fish and Wildlife Service, uh, you got Platte National Park in Oklahoma, um, in 06, which is now also part of the, uh, the Chickasaw National Park, Recreation area and then once again here in my home state Mesa Verde National Park down in the southwest corner of Colorado in 1906 Another first here TR was the first president to leave the country during his time in office. 333 00:29:28,122.344 --> 00:29:32,562.345 This is November 9th 1906 so TR and mrs. 334 00:29:32,562.345 --> 00:29:46,592.345 Roosevelt board the USS, Louisiana to visit and inspect the ongoing construction of the Panama Canal, which Roosevelt also has a major role in, in, uh, getting through. 335 00:29:47,102.345 --> 00:30:03,382.345 So some, some in Congress, uh, were afraid that this would create some sort of a constitutional crisis, but, uh, you know, TR had made the arrangements with his secretary of state, uh, Elihu Root, uh, to keep in touch with TR by means of wireless communications. 336 00:30:03,537.345 --> 00:30:13,497.345 Telegraphy, uh, during the voyage, so when TR and his party arrived in Panama, the, uh, the regular telegraph cable was used to keep in close touch with the office and TR. 337 00:30:13,917.345 --> 00:30:24,782.345 So TR is accompanied by, by his wife, Edith and surgeon general, uh, Uh, Rixey, the assistant secretary, uh, Maurice Latta from the White House and three secret service agents. 338 00:30:25,2.345 --> 00:30:31,72.344 And he gets back to the, to the United States on November 26th, 1906. 339 00:30:31,82.345 --> 00:30:40,932.345 So he's out of the country for a couple of weeks, but again, first time it had ever happened and uh, created a bit of consternation. 340 00:30:42,816.4075 --> 00:30:46,536.4065 I think it may have been his way of getting even with Congress for a couple things, so. 341 00:30:48,866.4075 --> 00:30:51,806.4085 Our next first is December 12, 1906. 342 00:30:52,446.4075 --> 00:30:58,466.4075 TR is the first president to appoint a Jewish cabinet member, Strauss of New York City. 343 00:30:58,776.4075 --> 00:31:02,531.4075 He was appointed by TR to head the Commerce and Labor Department. 344 00:31:03,91.4075 --> 00:31:05,761.4075 this was a cabinet post that T. 345 00:31:05,761.4075 --> 00:31:05,911.4075 R. 346 00:31:05,911.4075 --> 00:31:11,541.4075 had created on February 14th, 1903, the Department of Commerce and Labor. 347 00:31:11,581.4075 --> 00:31:14,661.4075 So, yep, couple firsts almost. 348 00:31:15,632.345 --> 00:31:16,2.345 Yeah. 349 00:31:17,452.345 --> 00:31:33,262.344 Um, 1906, uh, TR is, becomes the first president and the first American, uh, to win the Nobel Peace Prize, uh, received for his negotiation of the Russo Japanese War. 350 00:31:33,302.345 --> 00:31:52,517.345 Um, so it was that Treaty of Portsmouth that formally ended the Russo Japanese War, uh, which had raged for a couple of years, 1904, Uh, so the negotiations took place in August, uh, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, uh, brokered in part by President Roosevelt. 351 00:31:52,657.345 --> 00:32:06,137.345 Uh, the final agreement signed in September of 1905, uh, and it essentially gave the Japanese, uh, presence in South Manchuria in Korea and ceded the southern half of the island of Sakhalin to Japan. 352 00:32:08,411.4075 --> 00:32:13,12.245 And So, when did he actually get the, when did he actually get the medal, do you think, Larry? I don't know. 353 00:32:13,12.445 --> 00:32:17,161.4075 You know he delivered his Nobel lecture in Oslo, Norway. 354 00:32:17,161.4075 --> 00:32:17,211.4075 Okay. 355 00:32:17,656.4075 --> 00:32:32,841.4075 On May 5th, 1910, he was coming back from his African safari, was touring through Europe, headed over to the funeral of King Edward VII, One of my favorite parts of that speech, I'd like to read that as T. 356 00:32:32,841.4075 --> 00:32:33,91.4075 R. 357 00:32:33,101.4075 --> 00:32:34,321.4075 in his voice if I could here. 358 00:32:35,361.4075 --> 00:32:53,781.4075 Peace is generally a good in itself, but it is never the highest good unless it comes as the handmaid of righteousness, it becomes a very evil thing if it serves merely as a mask for cowardice and sloth, as an instrument to further the ends of despotism or anarchy. 359 00:32:56,751.4075 --> 00:32:57,981.4075 I couldn't resist, sorry. 360 00:32:58,312.345 --> 00:33:01,502.345 every TR quote, you've got to get the word righteousness in there. 361 00:33:01,672.345 --> 00:33:07,22.345 Um, and, and, uh, and, and despotism and, and sloth. 362 00:33:07,82.345 --> 00:33:08,602.345 Um, yeah, that's good. 363 00:33:10,171.4075 --> 00:33:14,761.4075 Mark Hanna, Senator Hanna, and others were afraid that TR would get us into wars and everything. 364 00:33:17,71.4075 --> 00:33:19,51.4075 He was actually a president of peace. 365 00:33:19,781.4075 --> 00:33:23,791.4075 Well our next first for TR is actually a world record. 366 00:33:24,191.4075 --> 00:33:26,391.4065 It was January 1st, 1907. 367 00:33:27,151.407 --> 00:33:30,791.4075 sets a world record for a head of state shaking hands. 368 00:33:31,126.4075 --> 00:33:38,186.4075 With 8, 513 people at the official function on New Year's Day at the White House reception. 369 00:33:38,976.4075 --> 00:33:42,766.4075 Now, he wasn't the first president to open the White House to visitors on January 1st. 370 00:33:43,406.4075 --> 00:33:46,176.4075 But he was the first to shake that many hands on a day. 371 00:33:46,176.4075 --> 00:33:47,666.4075 And you did the averaging. 372 00:33:47,676.4075 --> 00:33:50,976.3075 How much was it? How many hands per minute? Hehehehe. 373 00:33:51,12.345 --> 00:33:52,842.345 is over the course of about three hours. 374 00:33:52,852.345 --> 00:33:56,572.345 So, you know, we're talking an average of about 45 hands a minute. 375 00:33:56,802.345 --> 00:34:08,102.3445 Um, and, uh, we'll, we'll try to post on the website, uh, a video of Roosevelt in a, in a reception line, whether it's this actual day or not, I can't recall. 376 00:34:08,102.3445 --> 00:34:16,367.345 But, you see his, uh, Uh, his style of shaking and kind of pulling people along as they go and keeping them moving. 377 00:34:16,517.345 --> 00:34:17,257.345 Um, Yep. 378 00:34:17,357.345 --> 00:34:24,597.345 I read an account where, he was shaking hands, if the line wasn't moving fast enough, he would ask the Marine Corps band to play the songs a little faster. 379 00:34:25,327.345 --> 00:34:28,117.345 that would help give him the momentum to keep the hands moving. 380 00:34:30,758.2815 --> 00:34:45,208.2815 I know, uh, so Edmund Morris in the rise of Theodore Roosevelt writes that, um, that day the president invited, quote, all citizens who are sober, washed and free of bodily advertising, end quote, to come and meet him. 381 00:34:46,818.2815 --> 00:34:56,268.2815 Yeah, it says, though it was January, the weather was perfect, and the citizens, men, women, and children of all ages lined up at the White House and waited their turn patiently. 382 00:34:58,228.2815 --> 00:34:58,748.2815 Pretty great. 383 00:34:58,847.344 --> 00:34:58,997.344 Yeah. 384 00:34:59,27.344 --> 00:35:05,828.2815 That's one piece I'd like to travel back in time to just to go through and hands with Shake, shake his hand. 385 00:35:05,888.2815 --> 00:35:06,218.2815 Yep. 386 00:35:06,818.2815 --> 00:35:09,958.2815 he had a good firm handshake by all accounts. 387 00:35:10,98.2815 --> 00:35:10,398.2815 So. 388 00:35:12,98.2815 --> 00:35:12,538.2815 All right. 389 00:35:12,558.2815 --> 00:35:29,398.2815 Uh, so December 16th, 1907 to February 22nd, 1909, TR was the first president to send a portion of the U S Navy to circumnavigate the globe, uh, in what was called the great white fleet. 390 00:35:30,238.2815 --> 00:35:31,288.2815 Yeah, the great white fleet. 391 00:35:31,378.2815 --> 00:35:47,624.219 Um, it announced to the world the growing American military power had a global reach especially with the new and modern navy the tr had helped for when he was assistant secretary of the Navy under President Mm hmm. 392 00:35:48,233.2815 --> 00:35:54,483.2815 So in this way, TR used the fleet to represent what he saw as America's arrival as a great nation on the world stage. 393 00:35:55,573.2815 --> 00:36:02,353.2815 devoted to naval theorist, Alfred Thayer Mahan, and he equated international power with naval might. 394 00:36:02,413.2815 --> 00:36:10,923.2815 So supported the new battleship construction, the modernization of armaments, even the adoption of new marksmanship techniques. 395 00:36:12,488.2815 --> 00:36:16,368.2815 In doing so, he greatly expanded the reach of American power. 396 00:36:17,38.2815 --> 00:36:20,508.2815 It was something that President William McKinley had started, and T. 397 00:36:20,508.2815 --> 00:36:20,788.2815 R. 398 00:36:21,548.2815 --> 00:36:22,578.2815 pushed on through. 399 00:36:23,984.219 --> 00:36:56,484.22 Yeah, this is, uh, what Roosevelt had, had always stood for, even what he advocated clear back in, in, uh, in his early book, The Naval War of 1812, that, you know, that American preparedness is what will keep us safe that that peace through preparedness and so this was a you know, really stark demonstration to the world that America Had an offensive capability with these battleships and around the world. 400 00:36:56,534.22 --> 00:37:01,774.22 Um, we had the capability in peace to project naval power. 401 00:37:01,774.22 --> 00:37:05,134.22 So we'll let you just put two and two together there. 402 00:37:05,174.219 --> 00:37:11,744.219 Uh, if we have to, if it comes to war, uh, then certainly we're, we're capable of employing that naval power. 403 00:37:11,744.319 --> 00:37:14,471.4831818 Uh, if, if we need to. 404 00:37:14,471.4831818 --> 00:37:14,926.0105455 Yeah. 405 00:37:14,926.0105455 --> 00:37:15,380.5379091 Yeah. 406 00:37:15,380.5379091 --> 00:37:15,835.0652727 Yeah. 407 00:37:15,835.0652727 --> 00:37:23,213.2825 That's a was May 13th to 15th 1908 it's going along with conservation again. 408 00:37:23,483.2815 --> 00:37:23,713.2815 T. 409 00:37:23,713.2825 --> 00:37:23,833.2825 R. 410 00:37:23,833.2825 --> 00:37:27,733.2825 is the first president to convene a national governor's conference. 411 00:37:28,393.2825 --> 00:37:33,743.2825 He called the meeting to highlight the urgency of conservation of natural resources. 412 00:37:34,23.2825 --> 00:37:41,423.2825 He felt there was no greater moral issue facing the American people at that time than the conservation of our natural wonders and our natural resources. 413 00:37:42,13.2825 --> 00:37:44,373.2825 So he hand wrote an invitation to each governor. 414 00:37:44,708.2825 --> 00:37:46,948.2825 And at least 40 governors attended. 415 00:37:47,688.2825 --> 00:37:52,718.2825 The speakers included experts on waterways, mining, forestry, and TR himself. 416 00:37:53,438.2825 --> 00:38:01,208.2815 Each governor had the opportunity to talk briefly about the needs of their own states and any solutions that were successful in those states. 417 00:38:01,878.2825 --> 00:38:05,578.2815 one thing I love, blocked out the windows in the East Room. 418 00:38:06,13.2825 --> 00:38:10,503.2825 Of the White House and projected large maps onto the walls. 419 00:38:11,353.2825 --> 00:38:24,713.2815 that's pretty impressive technology for 1908 I'm just thinking how far reaching and advanced that was for that time to look to the future, to know that we needed to conserve. 420 00:38:25,203.2805 --> 00:38:33,563.2805 And it was another first there too, because it was the first time scientists and political leaders were viewed on equal footing with an issue as strong as this. 421 00:38:34,283.2805 --> 00:38:40,673.2805 there's a whole book dedicated to the Governor's Conference 1908, and I highly recommend finding that one. 422 00:38:41,153.2805 --> 00:38:46,753.2805 It's, the accounts, the minutes, the speeches, a wonderful read. 423 00:38:47,419.218 --> 00:38:47,689.218 yeah. 424 00:38:49,954.218 --> 00:38:54,104.218 Well, another first here that's near and dear to, uh, to our hearts. 425 00:38:54,104.218 --> 00:38:57,804.218 Uh, October 11th, 1910, T. 426 00:38:57,804.218 --> 00:38:58,154.218 R. 427 00:38:58,674.218 --> 00:39:06,34.218 becomes the first, in this case, ex president, but the first person who had ever been president to ride in an airplane. 428 00:39:06,174.217 --> 00:39:09,24.218 Uh, he didn't pilot the thing, but, but he rode in an airplane. 429 00:39:09,504.218 --> 00:39:18,49.118 Uh, October 11th, 1910, Roosevelt stays aloft for about four minutes, uh, in a Wright Brothers built plane, uh, in Canada. 430 00:39:19,9.218 --> 00:39:19,259.218 St. 431 00:39:19,259.218 --> 00:39:23,179.218 Louis, uh, piloted by Arch Hoxie. 432 00:39:23,859.218 --> 00:39:27,909.217 Um, so later his, uh, his fifth cousin, Franklin D. 433 00:39:27,909.218 --> 00:39:33,219.218 Roosevelt, becomes the first president in office to fly in a plane in the 1930s. 434 00:39:33,259.218 --> 00:39:48,989.218 But, uh, So Larry, um, I happen to know, uh, I think this was my first, first time I had ever heard your name was, uh, was seeing you in a video in in a 2010 recreation of this flight. 435 00:39:49,69.218 --> 00:40:15,358.2805 You want to talk about that? Yeah, we, we were at the Dayton Air Show with some friends, and a Wright B Flyer, which was the model that TR had flown in, flew overhead, and I knew about TR's story of flying in the Wright B Flyer, and I contacted the place that owned that, the Wright Brothers Airport in Dayton, Ohio, For a fee, you can join the organization and get a free flight. 436 00:40:15,418.2805 --> 00:40:15,988.2805 So I did. 437 00:40:16,708.2805 --> 00:40:20,408.2805 And we recreated the flight on October 11th, 2010. 438 00:40:20,488.2805 --> 00:40:21,858.2805 100 years to the day. 439 00:40:22,758.2795 --> 00:40:24,798.28 And the local news stations were there. 440 00:40:24,798.28 --> 00:40:27,238.2795 And one gentleman edited together a video. 441 00:40:27,478.2805 --> 00:40:29,958.2795 And that's what's posted on my website. 442 00:40:30,998.2805 --> 00:40:48,634.217 When you watch the motion picture of TR, which they took one, of him getting out of the automobile, getting onto the airplane, going up with ARCHOXY, going about 300 feet high and nose diving three times, we didn't do that on ours, You didn't create the, you didn't recreate the nosedives. 443 00:40:48,658.2805 --> 00:41:04,808.2805 we had that were about 25 to 30 or so miles an hour, my pilot was amazing, um, Don Gum was his name, he took us up, And that wind carried us off the runway over the trees nearby, and he was able to bring the plane back. 444 00:41:05,558.2805 --> 00:41:08,898.2805 We landed, went around again, and took off again., 445 00:41:09,658.2805 --> 00:41:10,908.2805 You see the grin on T. 446 00:41:10,908.2805 --> 00:41:11,38.2805 R. 447 00:41:11,48.2805 --> 00:41:12,808.2805 's face when he gets off of the plane. 448 00:41:13,858.2805 --> 00:41:15,208.2805 I experienced that. 449 00:41:15,218.2795 --> 00:41:17,148.2805 It's like a motorcycle with wings. 450 00:41:18,88.2795 --> 00:41:20,158.2795 the best way to describe a right B Flyer. 451 00:41:20,834.218 --> 00:41:21,334.218 Yeah. 452 00:41:21,468.2795 --> 00:41:24,788.2805 but, there is a sad aspect of this story for T. 453 00:41:24,788.2805 --> 00:41:24,968.2805 R. 454 00:41:25,18.2805 --> 00:41:25,948.2805 and for myself. 455 00:41:26,388.2805 --> 00:41:27,698.28 A couple months after T. 456 00:41:27,698.28 --> 00:41:27,848.2795 R. 457 00:41:27,858.2805 --> 00:41:28,328.2805 's flight. 458 00:41:29,298.2805 --> 00:41:39,738.2805 Pilot Arch Hoxie with the Wright Airmeet was in California and attempted to do, um, an altitude record and lost consciousness and crashed and was killed. 459 00:41:40,808.2805 --> 00:41:55,168.2805 Oh, a few months after my flight, um, Don Gum with another pilot was flying an experimental Wright B Flyer that they had worked on it crashed not far from where I live in Ohio and he was killed. 460 00:41:55,228.2805 --> 00:42:00,449.218 So, yeah, No, I, I didn't know that part. 461 00:42:00,788.2805 --> 00:42:01,218.2805 yeah. 462 00:42:01,409.218 --> 00:42:01,959.218 Wow. 463 00:42:02,803.2805 --> 00:42:06,373.2805 But it just, that was rough, and I can imagine T. 464 00:42:06,373.2805 --> 00:42:06,613.2805 R. 465 00:42:06,613.2805 --> 00:42:16,693.2795 felt something like I felt with losing the pilot and, you know, the Yeah, on the plane, sharing that with someone. 466 00:42:17,729.218 --> 00:42:18,189.218 right. 467 00:42:19,143.2805 --> 00:42:22,504.218 yeah, so it Yeah, that's That's too bad. 468 00:42:22,504.218 --> 00:42:26,744.218 I never knew that, that, the rest of that, of your particular story. 469 00:42:26,834.218 --> 00:42:37,624.218 I, you know, I had known about Hoxie because he had just, I mean, a few days earlier than that had set a, a flight altitude record, um, in a similar plane. 470 00:42:37,704.217 --> 00:42:41,624.217 And here he was, you know, just a few days later trying to best his own record. 471 00:42:42,84.217 --> 00:42:44,234.218 Yeah, that's, that's too bad. 472 00:42:45,488.2805 --> 00:42:49,48.2805 But if you do get a chance, Library of Congress has the video. 473 00:42:49,208.2805 --> 00:42:54,598.2805 I recommend watching that and just looking at that smile on TR's face as he steps off. 474 00:42:54,728.2805 --> 00:42:55,268.2805 That's. 475 00:42:56,198.2805 --> 00:43:03,968.1795 And I'm sure I Hehehehehe. 476 00:43:05,579.218 --> 00:43:08,189.218 Larry's 2010 videos side by side. 477 00:43:09,789.218 --> 00:43:10,379.217 Very good. 478 00:43:10,558.2805 --> 00:43:11,158.2805 thanks Kurt. 479 00:43:11,228.2805 --> 00:43:11,478.2805 Yep. 480 00:43:12,368.2805 --> 00:43:14,708.2805 Well our next first is 1912. 481 00:43:15,468.2805 --> 00:43:15,568.2805 R. 482 00:43:15,568.2805 --> 00:43:22,798.2805 is the first former president of the United States to be elected to the presidency the American Historical Association. 483 00:43:23,459.217 --> 00:43:23,779.217 Yay. 484 00:43:23,818.2805 --> 00:43:27,508.2805 He was, yeah, I mean, he's noted for a number of historical works. 485 00:43:27,518.2805 --> 00:43:33,208.2805 The Naval War of 1812, which, there's many people that still consider that the best work on the subject. 486 00:43:33,938.2795 --> 00:43:36,678.2805 And his four volume series, Winning of the West. 487 00:43:37,629.218 --> 00:43:45,719.218 this is a big deal, I think, for Roosevelt to be recognized, um, as a co equal with these professional historians with their PhDs. 488 00:43:45,749.218 --> 00:43:53,743.2805 You know, Roosevelt did not have a PhD in history as, as so many did, um, but, uh, honorary degrees, but, you know. 489 00:43:53,949.218 --> 00:43:56,699.218 Honorary, right, honorary doctorate. 490 00:43:56,849.218 --> 00:44:10,449.218 Um, but, uh, I would say his historical works probably outsold, uh, the majority of the, uh, of the very academic works, uh, of most historians in the AHA at that time. 491 00:44:10,609.217 --> 00:44:22,743.281 Uh, Roosevelt wrote what we would call today popular histories, probably more on par with the, uh, Stephen Ambrose's and the Doris Kearns Goodwin's and, Douglas Brinkley's, um, Who all Kathleen Dalton. 492 00:44:22,743.281 --> 00:44:23,233.281 All of them. 493 00:44:23,379.2185 --> 00:44:23,783.181 PhDs, but, Mm hmm. 494 00:44:23,783.281 --> 00:44:35,619.2175 Mm but Roosevelt wrote, uh, you know, that, uh, in his history, his literature, that, um, Yeah, needs to be written, um, to be interesting to the average person. 495 00:44:35,759.2185 --> 00:44:38,399.2185 Needs to put flesh onto bones, as he said. 496 00:44:39,148.281 --> 00:44:41,458.281 yeah, in my classroom. 497 00:44:41,458.281 --> 00:45:20,559.2175 I have a poster that says history is boring and at the bottom in huge letters Not it's showing a ship of the line from the war of 1812 or revolution somewhere in that time frame Firing a broadside and so my kids will always look at that and go history is boring not Well, something, uh, we'll, we'll wrap up this episode here with, uh, with a final first, um, again, this list has not been all inclusive, there are others, and we may have a part two episode, uh, down the line, but, uh, this is a good start at least, but we'll finish this episode with. 498 00:45:22,94.2185 --> 00:45:56,629.2185 TR as the first president to be awarded the Medal of Honor in this case posthumously, but January 16th 2001 Despite Roosevelt's efforts and the lobbying by his superior officers He was initially denied the Medal of Honor by the War Department during his time And it took more than a century for for the nation to to change its mind So so again on January 16th 2001 the former president finally received this honor. 499 00:45:56,629.2185 --> 00:46:05,389.2175 And so it was in the White House, in the Roosevelt room, matter of fact, this was one of the last official Acts of President, William Clinton. 500 00:46:05,549.2175 --> 00:46:12,499.218 And, this, Uh, Medal of Honor was presented, to TR's great grandson, Tweed Roosevelt. 501 00:46:12,599.218 --> 00:46:20,279.217 And, that medal is still on display there, in the Roosevelt room in the White House next to the big Roosevelt portrait. 502 00:46:20,359.218 --> 00:46:26,669.217 And I think on the other side of the portrait is, uh, is TR's, Nobel prize, medal as well. 503 00:46:26,669.217 --> 00:46:29,759.217 So that truly is the Roosevelt room. 504 00:46:30,479.217 --> 00:46:37,679.217 So this Roosevelt Room is where Roosevelt had his office, uh, there originally before we had the creation of the Oval Office. 505 00:46:37,849.216 --> 00:46:38,693.2785 Um, Yeah. 506 00:46:39,799.217 --> 00:46:54,189.217 can I read the citation? This is, this is from, what Roosevelt described as his crowded hour in Cuba, uh, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. 507 00:46:54,619.217 --> 00:46:58,749.217 Lieutenant Colonel Theodore Roosevelt distinguished himself by acts of bravery. 508 00:46:58,834.217 --> 00:47:25,59.217 On the 1st of July, 1898, near Santiago de Cuba, Republic of Cuba, while leading a daring charge up San Juan Hill, Lieutenant Colonel Roosevelt, in total disregard for his personal safety and accompanied by only four or five men, led a desperate and gallant charge up San Juan Hill, encouraging his troops to continue the assault through withering enemy fire over open countryside. 509 00:47:25,759.217 --> 00:47:38,479.216 Facing the enemy's heavy fire, he displayed extraordinary bravery throughout the charge, and was the first to reach the enemy trenches, where he quickly killed one of the enemy with his pistol, allowing his men to continue the assault. 510 00:47:39,129.217 --> 00:47:43,399.217 His leadership and valor turned the tide in the battle for San Juan Hill. 511 00:47:43,779.217 --> 00:47:55,349.217 Lieutenant Colonel Roosevelt's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army. 512 00:47:56,133.2795 --> 00:47:56,353.2795 yes. 513 00:47:57,548.2795 --> 00:47:59,828.2795 Now son, Ted Jr. 514 00:47:59,948.2795 --> 00:48:01,628.2795 He also receives the Medal of Honor. 515 00:48:02,368.2795 --> 00:48:06,28.2795 They are one of only two father son pairs to do that. 516 00:48:06,388.2795 --> 00:48:08,248.2795 The other was Arthur MacArthur Jr. 517 00:48:08,253.2795 --> 00:48:09,778.2795 And his son Douglas MacArthur. 518 00:48:10,608.2795 --> 00:48:11,298.2795 But Ted Jr. 519 00:48:11,298.2795 --> 00:48:15,999.2795 Was in World War I, a decorated officer and wounded, and then in World War ii. 520 00:48:17,403.2795 --> 00:48:22,933.2795 He gained a reputation in both wars of leading from the front, and at 56 years of age, Ted Jr. 521 00:48:22,933.2795 --> 00:48:31,523.2795 was the oldest man to storm the beaches of Normandy, and the only general officer to storm on the first wave of the assault on D Day. 522 00:48:32,433.2795 --> 00:48:41,173.2795 And he earned his medal at Utah Beach for, gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. 523 00:48:41,573.2795 --> 00:48:42,123.2795 End quote. 524 00:48:42,463.2795 --> 00:48:46,93.2795 While leading successive waves of troops inland to their objectives. 525 00:48:47,123.2795 --> 00:48:55,263.2795 And, yeah, he had made two requests to lead the invasion and had been denied. 526 00:48:55,898.2795 --> 00:48:57,728.2795 And eventually, he's allowed to. 527 00:48:57,948.2795 --> 00:49:06,188.2795 And when they land, he's told they're a mile south of their objective and should we get back in the boats and go that mile? And he said, no, we'll start the war from right here. 528 00:49:07,78.2795 --> 00:49:17,658.2795 And under constant heavy fire throughout the day, he directed the men and material the best routes to gain a foothold in France and push on in to destroy Nazi Germany. 529 00:49:18,799.217 --> 00:49:28,53.2795 Now, But yeah, he's awarded his September 21st, 1944, and Ted had died a month after D Day of a heart attack. 530 00:49:28,933.2795 --> 00:49:37,783.2785 And he's buried at the Normandy Cemetery, and right next to him is his brother, Quentin, who was shot down and killed in World War I. 531 00:49:37,783.3785 --> 00:49:42,883.2795 Quentin's the only World War I soldier buried in the Normandy Cemetery. 532 00:49:43,669.217 --> 00:49:46,89.2165 yeah, the decision was, was made by the family. 533 00:49:46,89.2165 --> 00:49:51,469.217 They would move his grave from northern France and into the, uh, the cemetery there. 534 00:49:51,589.217 --> 00:49:56,799.217 So, you go there today, you see those two brothers, side by side. 535 00:49:57,99.217 --> 00:50:00,989.217 Um, it's pretty, uh, it's pretty moving to, to see that. 536 00:50:01,259.217 --> 00:50:20,339.219 And, uh, the, uh, the other, other piece of that, speaking of Quentin, when Quentin had died in the, in the First World War, all the rest of the, the Roosevelt boys, said whoever, whoever had the next, son born would name their son, Quentin, In their brother's honor. 537 00:50:20,469.219 --> 00:50:28,199.218 And so it was Quentin II, that, landed on Omaha Beach on D Day. 538 00:50:29,39.219 --> 00:50:36,879.218 And so that, you know, just one more distinction, even for the Roosevelt family, that, uh, you had the only father and son. 539 00:50:37,659.219 --> 00:50:41,599.219 Uh, with that first wave, uh, and the, on the D Day landings. 540 00:50:41,669.219 --> 00:50:47,779.219 So it's pretty, pretty astonishing story there for the Roosevelt's, um, uh, military service record. 541 00:50:48,129.219 --> 00:50:58,609.219 And I think, we definitely could get another episode talking just about the, uh, the military service of, of the extended Roosevelt family in, uh, in our, all of our wars. 542 00:50:59,388.219 --> 00:51:03,318.219 just TR's children alone from Ethel being the first one to go over. 543 00:51:03,998.219 --> 00:51:05,628.219 I mean, there's so many stories there. 544 00:51:05,658.219 --> 00:51:05,928.219 Yep. 545 00:51:05,958.219 --> 00:51:08,38.219 And I think we'll have to write that one down as another podcast. 546 00:51:08,668.218 --> 00:51:08,838.218 Yeah. 547 00:51:08,894.219 --> 00:51:09,184.219 Yeah. 548 00:51:09,238.219 --> 00:51:14,614.219 We just don't have enough topics, you know, it's, Yeah, exactly. 549 00:51:17,448.219 --> 00:51:18,58.219 Well, Kurt. 550 00:51:18,78.219 --> 00:51:22,993.119 I think this has been a good discussion of just maybe our first podcast on the, Yeah. 551 00:51:23,113.219 --> 00:51:24,663.219 Firsts of TR. 552 00:51:24,803.219 --> 00:51:34,703.219 So there's many more and as we research and document those, Hopefully we'll be able to get another episode out there with more firsts. 553 00:51:35,624.219 --> 00:51:36,874.219 Yeah, most assuredly. 554 00:51:36,964.219 --> 00:51:37,354.219 Yeah. 555 00:51:37,394.219 --> 00:51:43,734.219 So Larry and I will be doing more episodes, just the two of us talking about particular topics as we go on. 556 00:51:43,904.219 --> 00:51:54,254.218 Um, but, uh, but again, we do have a, a goodly number of, uh, of guests on our program, uh, coming up for, uh, the next couple of months. 557 00:51:54,264.218 --> 00:51:56,384.219 And so stay tuned for those. 558 00:51:56,414.219 --> 00:51:59,224.219 And, uh, so thanks for listening. 559 00:52:00,463.218 --> 00:52:00,833.218 Yes. 560 00:52:00,863.219 --> 00:52:13,197.219 Thank you, Also, don't forget, if you have any questions you want Kurt and I to answer, please send those to TalkAboutTeddyPodcast at gmail. 561 00:52:13,217.219 --> 00:52:13,597.219 com. 562 00:52:13,977.219 --> 00:52:20,237.218 There's a link to be able to access the gmail our website, TalkAboutTeddy. 563 00:52:20,267.218 --> 00:52:20,647.218 com. 564 00:52:21,603.219 --> 00:52:24,777.219 We look forward to your questions Thank you.