The Easter hat
Subject(s): Battleships, Columbia (Symbolic character), Easter decorations, Uncle Sam (Symbolic character)
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Uncle Sam and Columbia look at the Easter bonnet she has taken from a hat box, which has a battleship design and is labeled “U.S. Navy.” Caption: Miss Columbia — It’s all right in style, but altogether too small.
Comments and Context
Throughout 1903 (in fact all throughout his presidency) Theodore Roosevelt wrote messages, delivered speeches, and placed articles in which he hammered away at the need of the United States to enlarge its Navy, increase the number of specific ships, etc. For instance, on a national speech-making tour commencing at the time of this cartoon’s publication, Roosevelt made the necessity of Naval build-up a recurring theme, most forcefully at the dedication of the Naval Memorial Monument in San Francisco in May.
Cartoonist Keppler was not merely illustrating a news headline about the president’s critique, but obviously agreeing.
Collection
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
Creation Date
1903-04-08
Creator(s)
Period
U.S. President – 1st Term (September 1901-February 1905)
Repository
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division
Page Count
1
Record Type
Image
Resource Type
Rights
These images are presented through a cooperative effort between the Library of Congress and Dickinson State University. No known restrictions on publication.
Citation
Cite this Record
Chicago:
The Easter hat. [April 8, 1903]. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o277252. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Keppler, Udo J., 1872-1956. The Easter hat. [8 Apr. 1903]. Image.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. February 26, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o277252.
APA:
Keppler, Udo J., 1872-1956., [1903, April 8]. The Easter hat.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o277252.
Cite this Collection
Chicago:
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-prints-and-photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. February 26, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-prints-and-photographs.
APA:
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-prints-and-photographs.
