18. Roosevelt ascended to the presidency upon the death of William McKinley
William McKinley was shot on September 6, 1901, in Buffalo, New York. Roosevelt was vacationing in New England, and he went to the president’s bedside, where it was believed that the wound was not mortal. Roosevelt resumed his vacation. McKinley died on September 14 in Buffalo, and Roosevelt took the oath of office in that city the same day, at 42 the youngest man to hold the office of President of the United States in history. He retained most of McKinley’s cabinet, including John Hay as Secretary of State (Hay had been a personal secretary for Abraham Lincoln). Roosevelt then created the modern presidency.
One of his habits as Governor of New York was exhibited in the White House, when he insisted in daily briefings of the press, allowing reporters to submit questions. It was Roosevelt who designated space within the White House for the press, which helped him gain favorable coverage. Roosevelt entered the White House with 6 children, his wife, and personal staff and servants, and found the building too cramped to accommodate the completion of business as well. The West Wing was built to house the offices of the administration, and rebuilt several times by succeeding presidents.
