+----------------------------+------------------+---+-------------------+
| National Park Service      | Theodore         |   | PO Box 7          |
|                            | Roosevelt        |   |                   |
| U.S. Department of the     | National Park    |   | Medora, ND 58645  |
| Interior                   |                  |   |                   |
|                            |                  |   | 701-623-4466      |
|                            |                  |   | phone             |
|                            |                  |   |                   |
|                            |                  |   | 701-623-4840 fax  |
|                            |                  |   |                   |
|                            |                  |   | www.nps.gov/thro  |
+----------------------------+------------------+---+-------------------+

![](media/image1.png){width="0.5597222222222222in"
height="0.7201388888888889in"}

**Theodore Roosevelt National Park**

News Release

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Immediate Release Valerie Naylor 701-623-4466

Date: October 7, 2008

Governor Proclaims Theodore Roosevelt Month and Day

Governor John Hoeven has proclaimed October as Theodore Roosevelt Month
and October 27 as Theodore Roosevelt Day in North Dakota. October 27 is
the 150^th^ birthday of the 26^th^ President.

"As we celebrate the birth and life of Theodore Roosevelt, we reflect on
the pivotal role he played in shaping North Dakota's rich history,"
Hoeven said. "His time spent in our state not only paved his way to the
presidency, but made him a legend whose footsteps can still be traced in
North Dakota's Badlands."

Theodore Roosevelt National Park is celebrating TR's birthday all year,
and will be holding a special event and 150^th^ birthday party on
October 27. Events will include reading of the governor's proclamation,
a special U.S. postage stamp cancellation, special programs and
activities as well as birthday cake. More details on the birthday
activities will be released later in the month.

Theodore Roosevelt was an enthusiastic resident of Dakota Territory for
significant periods between September 1883 and December 1887, and held
ranching interests in the North Dakota Badlands from 1883-1898. The time
that Roosevelt spent ranching and hunting in North Dakota was
instrumental to his recovery from the deaths of his wife and mother. He
often stated that he never would have been president had it not been for
his experiences in North Dakota.

Many of Theodore Roosevelt's views on conservation were formed during
his time in the Dakota badlands. He became a leading advocate for the
cause of conservation, creating the U.S. Forest Service, signing the
Antiquities Act, and extending federal protection to almost 230,000
acres during his presidency. He also proclaimed 18 national monuments
and signed five national parks into law.

"Theodore Roosevelt was a champion of national parks and monuments, and
of the conservation and wise use of our natural resources," said
Superintendent Valerie J. Naylor. "Today, Theodore Roosevelt National
Park honors the legacy of Theodore Roosevelt and preserves a portion of
the lands where he ranched and hunted. The North Dakota badlands
inspired Roosevelt, just as they inspire hundreds of thousands of
visitors each year."

\--NPS\--