151st Birthday of Thedore Roosevelt

This week, a blog from the Smithsonian Institute marked the 151st birthday of our 26th president Theodore Roosevelt.

I have found TR to be one of the more transitional figures in American political history. He was instrumental in transforming this nation from a primarily rural and agrarian society to a urban and industrial one.

Roosevelt defined the modern presidency more than any of his predecessors. His administration was responsible for the consumer protection and environmental laws that we have today. Roosevelt brought about global trade through the building of the Panama Canal. During the Spanish American War, Roosevelt and his Rough Riders stormed San Juan Hill and aggressively fought for war. Yet as president, Roosevelt received the Nobel Peace Prize for negotiating a cease fire in the Russian-Japanese War of 1904. In business, Roosevelt was responsible for breaking large monopolies that prevented competition and became too greedy for the public welfare.

In many ways, Roosevelt seemed like a man ahead of his time. It is worth remembering that when he became president at age 42 the average life expectancy was only 48. Roosevelt would be considered by today's standards to be middle age. Nevertheless, I can envision him fitting right in to today's 24/7, over caffeinated, on-the go lifestyle. He was among the first presidents to recognize the importance of physical fitness as a form of recreation. His magnetic "larger than life" personality would be the perfect match for today's digital communciations era.

So, let me wish TR a happy 151 st birthday for his contributions to the modern presidency.