1858: Born in New York

1877: The Summer Birds of the Adirondacks in Franklin County, New York, the first of over thirty books written by Roosevelt, is published privately; his first major publication, The History of the Naval War of 1812, is published in 1882

1882-84: Serves as New York state assemblyman

1884-86: Builds and lives on Elkhorn Ranch in the Dakota Territory

1889-95: Serves on U.S. Civil Service Commission

1895-97: Serves as police commissioner of New York City

1897-98: Serves as assistant secretary of the Navy

1898: Volunteers for service during the Spanish-American War; as a lieutenant colonel in the First U.S. Volunteer Cavalry, he forms a squadron called the "Rough Riders," whose exploits are well publicized by newspapers

1899-1900: Serves as New York governor

1901: Serves as vice president under William McKinley; assumes the presidency following McKinley's assassination

1901-9: Serves as twenty-sixth U.S. president

1909-...