Today in History: Progressive/Bull Moose Party

Today in History–June 22–the Library of Congress features the birth of the Progressive Party on this day in 1912. Led by Theodore Roosevelt, the Bull Moose Party promised to increase federal regulation and protect the welfare of ordinary citizens. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access related resources.

Bull Moose image set

Bull Moose Trails (book, 1912) by Annie Hall

Progressive Party image set

National Progressive Convention, Chicago August 6, 1912 photo

State platform. National progressive party of the State of New York. Adopted by the State convention, Syracuse, N. Y., Sept. 5, 1912. New York 1912

Theodore Roosevelt 1912 campaign audio recordings

TR at Fargo, N.D., during Progressive campaign, 1912 (film)

TR speaking at [Pueblo] Colorado, 1912 (film)

Select articles from Chronicling America Historical Newspaper Collection

• “Roosevelt is Planning for a Third Party Ticket” El Paso Herald (El Paso, TX), June 20, 1912, Page 1, Image 1, col. 1.
• “Roosevelt Bolts and Will Form New National Party” The Washington Times (Washington, DC), June 20, 1912, Last Edition, Page 1, Image 1, col. 1.
• “My Hat is Still in the Ring–Only it’s a Bigger Ring, Says Roosevelt” The Washington Times (Washington, DC), June 22, 1912
• “Taft and Sherman Renominated on First Ballot; Roosevelt’s Followers Sulk and Form New Party” The Washington Herald (Washington, DC), June 23, 1912, Page 1, Image 1, col. 1.
• “Republicans Renominate William H. Taft for Presidency, while Col. Roosevelt is Placed at Head of New Party” The Times Dispatch (Richmond, Va.), June 23, 1912
• “Name Roosevelt for President” The Evening Standard (Ogden City, UT), August 7, 1912, Page 1, Image 1, col. 1.
• “Roosevelt and Johnson are Named; Progressive Party Nominates Colonel for Third Term at Chicago, with California Governor as Running Mate” New-York Tribune (New York [N.Y.]), August 08, 1912
• “Progressives Line Up for New Party” The Tacoma Times (Tacoma, WA), August 16, 1912, Page 1, Image 1, col. 7.
• “Theodore Roosevelt, Shot by Lunatic, Resting Easily at Mercy Hospital” The Day Book (Chicago, Ill.), October 15, 1912
• “Wilson Chosen President Roosevelt Leads Taft” New York Tribune (New York, NY), November 6, 1912, Page 1, Image 1, col. 1.

Progressive party historical newspaper coverage

Bull moose party historical newspaper coverage

Related resources

• Theodore Roosevelt primary sources & teaching resources
• Citizen U lesson library
  • Political Parties – Beginning OAV
  • Political Parties – Intermediate OAV
  • Political Parties – Advanced OAV
  • The Formation of Political Parties Democracy Project