Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President, Born on Oct. 27; Roosevelt Youngest President at 42.

SIMI VALLEY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 26, 1998--Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th president of the United States, was born on Oct. 27, 1858.

Roosevelt served as president from 1901-1909. After President William McKinley was assassinated on Sept. 6, 1901, Roosevelt, then vice president, became president. He was re-elected to a second term in 1904. At the age of 42, he became the youngest person to serve as president of the United States, whereas President Ronald Reagan, at 69, was the oldest person elected to the presidency.

Other trivia about Roosevelt:

--   During the Spanish-American War in 1898, Colonel Roosevelt formed
     a cavalry regiment called the Rough Riders, which he led in a
     charge to capture San Juan Hill, Cuba. The fame he gained from
     the war enabled Roosevelt to become the governor of New York.
--   Due to President Roosevelt's efforts to protect small business
     and workers, his administration became known as the "square
     deal."
--   Roosevelt stated that the president should "speak softly and
     carry a big stick" in international affairs. Roosevelt
     implemented his "big stick" philosophy by urging Congress to
     support efforts to improve the Navy by building battleships and
     cruisers. To demonstrate American strength, Roosevelt sent the
     Navy on a cruise around the world.
--   Unhappy with the current condition of America under President
     William Howard Taft's administration, Roosevelt decided to run
     for a third term as president in 1912 under a new party, called
     the Progressive Party. It was during a campaign speech that
     Roosevelt was shot by an insane man. Nevertheless, he managed to
     finish his speech before being taken to the hospital. When a
     reporter asked him how he felt, he responded, "I feel as strong
     as a bull moose." From that time on, his party became known as
     the Bull Moose Party. Unfortunately, Roosevelt lost the election
     due to a split in Republican votes between himself and Taft,
     which led to the victory of the Democrat candidate, Woodrow
     Wilson.
--   The original Teddy bear, which was named for Roosevelt, was
     presented to him in 1903.

Find out more about the history of the presidency and U.S. presidents by visiting the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, located in Simi Valley. The Ronald Reagan Library was dedicated in 1991 and is the only official Presidential Library in the Western United States.

The Ronald Reagan Library is open every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day and can be contacted by calling 805/522-8444.