Giants of History presents Theodore Roosevelt episode number four.

Welcome. Welcome to Giants of History and thank you for joining us. No man is worth his salt who is not ready at all times to risk his well-being

To risk his body to risk his life in a great cause

Theodore Roosevelt.

It was the first day of July, 1898.

Roosevelt would forever after refer to it as, quote, the great day of my life, end quote.

He had just a few months prior resigned from his post as assistant secretary of the Navy to accept

an appointment in the U.S. Army. He longed for glory in battle.

He led his rough rider regiment from the shores of the United States down to the dense jungles of Cuba to drive the Spanish from the Western Hemisphere.

He and his troops had spent the last few days. to drive the Spanish from the Western Hemisphere.

He and his troops had spent the last few days marching through the tropical heat and humidity,

dodging sniper bullets all along the way, in an effort to reach the now famous ridge known as San Juan Heights.

It was now the morning of the battle they had all been waiting for.

As usual, the camp was awoken by Revale being played.

All who were there knew it could be the last time they would ever hear it.

Roosevelt later wrote that dawn was magnificent.

He said the sunrise was a spectacular sight, and that the trees, hills, and sky all came lit up together as the sun rose as if the curtains were being drawn on, quote, an amphitheatre of battle, end quote.

Roosevelt himself woke up, shaved, and got dressed.

He wore a dark navy blue shirt, yellow suspenders, tan pants, and boots.

He made sure he could quickly retrieve another pair of spectacles from the lining of his hat

should he need them in the battle.

He then walked the camp, calming and reassuring his men, some who had grown scared as the reality

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