San Francisco earthquake kills an estimated 500 people, and fire destroys much of the city. To correct the conditions detailed in Sinclair's The Jungle , Congress passes the Meat Inspection Act and the Pure Food and Drug Act. Roosevelt journeys to Panama to visit the Canal, begun this year. U. S. Marines are sent to help put down a revolution in Honduras. Panic of 1907.
Immigration law excludes Japanese workers.
Frank Lloyd Wright completes the Robey House near Chicago. Choosing not to run again, Roosevelt picks William Howard Taft as his successor for the nomination for the presidency. The Democrats again nominate William Jennings Bryan, who loses to Taft. Colors were added the next year. Bakelite, an early form of plastic, is patented.