You may or may not have heard of National Checkers Day, also known as Dogs in Politics Day, but it’s on September 23rd so we thought we’d help get you in the know.
Accused of financial improprieties, vice-presidential candidate Richard Nixon needed to do some damage control. So, on this date in 1952, he gave a speech in Los Angeles heard by 60 million Americans (the biggest audience of the time) wherein he let everyone know that he intended to keep one gift bestowed upon him during his journey: his beloved black and white dog named Checkers. In that moment, he bridged the gap between himself and the average family, regained trust in the eyes of the American people, and evoked enough sympathy to remain on the ballot. It proves that dogs can lighten the mood in basically any situation and that reinforces that the public loves a good pup.
If you’re feeling extra political, take some time on the 23rd to read Checker’s Speech, as it’s famously known, and brush up on your paw-litical history of dogs in the White House – it’s actually pretty heartwarming to see people in power doting over their dogs.
