America’s 26th president, Theodore Roosevelt, also affectionately known as Teddy, was in office from 1901 to 1909. He was well known for his talent for public speaking, administrative skills, and foreign relations. He made the top of the list due to his overall vision and expertise in economic management. He is the first president to make conservation a national issue and established numerous national parks, forests, and monuments.
He also strengthened the Navy and facilitated the construction of the Panama Canal. Roosevelt was also an active participant in the negotiations that lead to the end of the Russo-Japanese War and even won a Nobel Peace Prize.
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight D. Eisenhower served as the 34th president of the United States from 1953 to 1961. He rose to fame as the supreme commander who led the Allied forces in the invasion of Nazi-occupied Europe. He is also known for desegregating the military of which he wrote, “There must be no second class citizens in this country.”
In foreign policy, he obtained a truce in Korea and worked tirelessly to ease the tensions of the Cold War. Eisenhower, who was also known as Ike, was an immensely popular president with an approval rating that has rarely been matched.
Eisenhower Hated Squirrels
President Eisenhower was an avid golfer but got very frustrated when squirrels kept digging up his putting green. He decided to get rid of them at all costs and ordered his valet to shoot them all.
Fortunately, the Secret Service had a better idea, they got the groundskeepers to round them up and release them in Rock Creek Park.
Teddy Roosevelt’s Dangerous Hobby
President Roosevelt enjoyed active pursuits during his downtime and playing physical sports. One time at the White House he decided to spar with a Navy Officer.
The tussle got quite intense and Roosevelt took a strong hit to his left eye. The blow actually blinded him, but he didn’t let anyone know the truth for several weeks.
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt, also known as FDR, was America’s 32nd president from 1933 to 1945. He was immensely popular and is the only president in America who ever served and was elected for four terms. FDR is known for leading the nation through the trying times of the Great Depression and World War II.
He also established a series of social and economic reforms that gave the Federal government more power and were known as the New Deal.