Theodore Roosevelt and his Rough Riders thunder into Oyster Bay

A major historical re-enactment took place in Oyster Bay’s Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park on June 3 as the nation commemorated the 125th Anniversary of the formation of Colonel Theodore Roosevelt’s 1st U.S. Volunteer Cavalry, nicknamed the Rough Riders, one of three such regiments for the Spanish-American War and the only one to see combat. The U.S. had gone to war in opposition to Spanish colonial policies in Cuba, which was then torn by a rebellion. 1st United States Volunteer Cavalry Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, a strong advocate for the Cuban War of Independence, helped attract skilled horsemen eager to see combat to the regiment.

Known as Roosevelt’s Rough Riders, they are best remembered for their conduct during the Battle of San Juan Hill. Several days after the battle, the Spanish fleet sailed from Cuba, and in only a few weeks an armistice ending the fighting was signed. Despite the brevity of their service, the Rough Riders became legendary, thanks to Roosevelt’s writing his own history of the regiment and the silent film reenactments made years later.