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Teddy Roosevelt, as a presidential candidate, was shot in 1912 but still gave an 80-minute speech before seeking medical attention. The bullet was slowed by folded pages in his jacket pocket and lodged in a rib. He became the third most successful candidate in American history.
Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th president of the United States, was known as a tough and energetic man. The events of October 14, 1912 really illustrate how tough Teddy Roosevelt was. As candidate of the newly formed Bull Moose Party, Roosevelt was once again running for president. He was about to give a campaign speech in Wisconsin when he was shot by a man in the crowd with a Colt .38 revolver. Instead of going to the hospital for treatment, Roosevelt insisted on going to the auditorium to deliver his speech as scheduled. Roosevelt, who had military experience from the Spanish-American War, had determined that the bullet had not entered his lung and that he was in no immediate danger. He gave an 80 minute speech at the Milwaukee Auditorium and then finally went to the hospital for treatment. After the incident it became clear that Roosevelt’s long speech had, in fact, saved his life. The bullet had been slowed by the 50 pages folded in his jacket pocket and lodged in a rib. He would stay there for the rest of his life. The 1912 presidential election was ultimately won by Democratic candidate Woodrow Wilson. Still, Roosevelt became the third most successful candidate in American history, garnering a respectable 27 percent of the popular vote.
Read more about Teddy Roosevelt:
Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt became president of the United States at age 43 when President William McKinley was assassinated. He was in office from 1901 to 1909.
Teddy Roosevelt won the 1906 Nobel Peace Prize for helping to mediate the Russo-Japanese War.
Tragically, Teddy Roosevelt’s mother and his first wife died on the same day: Valentine’s Day 1884.
