Today is the 155th Anniversary of the birth of our 26th President, Theodore Roosevelt.
Few Presidents have had the impact of our youngest President, who was affectionately known as “TR” or “Teddy”!
Few have been as popular as he was in his time, and in most of our history since.
Few were ever as open and outspoken about their belief in political, social and economic reform as Roosevelt was.
TR became a model for later Presidents, including his distant cousin, Franklin D. Roosevelt.
TR was proud to call himself a “progressive”, and he inspired generations of people with his belief that America could be a better place, and not be under the thumb of powerful corporations.
Certainly, one can disagree with TR on many ideas and beliefs, particularly in his promotion of “imperialism” in Latin America, and his limitations on the issue of race, but that does not take away from his greatness, with him usually being ranked just below the “great” Presidents, Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, and FDR.
TR changed our country for the better, and the fact that he is attacked by the likes of Glenn Beck and other right wing extremists, only adds to his magnificent stature!
A trip to his home at Sagamore Hill in Oyster Bay, Long Island, New York, is well worth it!