Born on this day to one of the wealthiest families in New York City, Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919), 26th U.S. President, remembered himself as a "sickly, delicate boy" who overcame astigmatism and severe asthma with strenuous exercise. That determination propelled his larger-than-life successes.

"I care not what others think of what I do, but I care very much about what I think of what I do. That is character!" said the sportsman with a reputation for action. "Like all Americans I like things big; big prairies, big forests, big factories, and everything else."

In 1898, heroic Roosevelt led the Rough Riders in the Spanish-American War and was elected Governor of New York. He was elected Vice President two years later and in 1901, following the assassination of William McKinley, Roosevelt, 43, became the youngest President in history.

"Nine-tenths of wisdom is being wise in time," he said.

Spearheading the construction of the Panama Canal, building the Navy, and winning a 1906 Nobel Prize for negotiating peace in the Russo-Japanese War, Roosevelt wrote over 35 books and celebrated life with passionate zeal. "I always believe in going hard at everything." T.R. said.

A dedicated naturalist, Roosevelt established the U.S. Forest Service and placed about 230,000,000 acres of U.S. land under public protection. He signed into law the first 18 national monuments.

"Let us remember that, as much has been given us, much will be expected from us, and that true homage comes from the heart as well as from the lips, and shows itself in deeds."

More Theodore ROOSEVELT Quotations

Believe that you can.