The Roosevelts stand as one of the most influential political lineages in American history. Figures such as Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Eleanor Roosevelt not only shaped their eras but also left a lasting imprint on the nation’s political and social landscape. The family’s roots trace back to 1649 in New Amsterdam, where Claes Martenszen van Rosenvelt and his wife Jennetjke began their life in what would become New York. As time passed, anglicized versions of the surname emerged, with their son Nicholas, born in 1658, among the first to bear the name Roosevelt. Nicholas later served as an alderman in New York City’s West Ward from 1698 to 1701 and again in 1715. The Roosevelt political presence continued to grow, culminating in the 20th century when Theodore and Franklin D. Roosevelt both rose to the presidency. Eleanor Roosevelt, meanwhile, broadened the role of the First Lady and championed humanitarian causes across her lifetime.

Here are seven notable facts about this remarkably influential family. — advertisement — Photo credit: Everett Collection/ Shutterstock

Theodore Roosevelt Witnessed Abraham Lincoln’s Funeral Procession

In the wake of Lincoln’s assassination, a young Theodore Roosevelt observed the nation’s sorrow from a second-story window of his family’s Broadway home. At age six, he watched Lincoln’s casket pass by as a photo captured the moment of two boys, Teddy and his brother Elliot, peering down. Decades later, Roosevelt would again face danger on the campaign trail in 1912 when he survived an assassination attempt, the press noting that the bullet was stopped by a folded speech in his breast pocket.

FDR’s Broad Presidential Ties

Franklin Delano Roosevelt is linked to 11 U.S. Presidents by both blood and marriage. Beyond the well-known connection to Theodore Roosevelt as fifth cousins, his network includes leaders such as John Adams, James Madison, and Ulysses S. Grant, among others. Eleanor Roosevelt, closely connected by family, also shares ties with these figures. On Franklin and Eleanor’s wedding day, Theodore played a ceremonial role in the ceremony by giving Eleanor away.

Eleanor Roosevelt Hosted the First Press Conference by a First Lady

Starting in 1933, Eleanor Roosevelt redefined the First Lady’s public presence. She organized and hosted the first official press conference conducted by a First Lady and invited 35 female reporters. Over the next 12 years, she held hundreds of similar briefings and invited notable guests, including Frances Perkins, the first female Cabinet member, and dignitaries from abroad. Her efforts helped lay groundwork for future generations of First Spouses to engage more actively in government.

Teddy Roosevelt Won a Nobel Peace Prize

Roosevelt became the first American president to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 1906 for his role in brokering peace after the Russo-Japanese War. His receipt of this honor marked the beginning of a series of notable firsts for the Roosevelt family, though it also drew mixed reactions from critics who questioned his broader imperial ambitions.

Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Vice Presidential Run

During the 1920 election, Franklin D. Roosevelt was selected as James M. Cox’s running mate, but the ticket narrowly failed to win. This setback preceded Roosevelt’s later political triumphs, including his governorship of New York in 1929 and his eventual ascent to the presidency in 1933. The campaign highlighted the era’s debates about leadership and policy direction.

FDR’s Aviation Milestone

On January 11, 1943, Franklin D. Roosevelt became the first sitting president to embark on a plane voyage, traveling to meet Winston Churchill in Morocco. This marked a shift in presidential travel away from oceanic routes. The era of Air Force One began to take shape in subsequent years, with the first official use of the call sign occurring in 1953 under Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Eleanor Roosevelt’s Flight with Amelia Earhart

Around 1933, Eleanor Roosevelt joined Amelia Earhart on a spontaneous flight from Washington, D.C. to Baltimore. The two traveled in formal attire, with Earhart piloting in a Curtiss Condor aircraft. Though Eleanor did not pursue a full aviator career, the experience remains a notable moment in the Roosevelt narrative of embracing bold, pioneering endeavors.