The history of US elections is filled with dramatic twists, shocking turns, and moments that defy conventional political narratives. From duels to prison campaigns, the journey to the White House has often been anything but predictable. This article delves into some of the most fascinating and bizarre moments in American electoral history, showcasing the unpredictable nature of politics and the ever-evolving landscape of the electoral process.
A Duel to Settle a Nation’s Fate
The 1800 election between Thomas Jefferson and John Adams was a fierce battle that ultimately led to a constitutional amendment. Before the 12th Amendment, the Electoral College system was fraught with complexities. Each elector cast two votes for president, with the candidate receiving the most votes becoming president and the runner-up becoming vice president, irrespective of party affiliation. This system’s flaws became apparent in 1796, but the 1800 election pushed it to its breaking point.
Jefferson and his running mate, Aaron Burr, both secured 73 electoral votes, surpassing Adams’ 65 votes. This deadlocked outcome forced the decision to the House of Representatives, where the situation grew even more intricate. Alexander Hamilton, the country’s first treasury secretary and founder of the Federalist Party, held a deep dislike for all the candidates, including Adams, Jefferson, and Burr. Yet, he rallied the Federalists to support Jefferson, whom he considered the least objectionable option. In a letter, Hamilton expressed his concerns about Burr, stating, “Mr. Burr loves nothing but himself – thinks of nothing but his own aggrandizement.”
After a week and 35 rounds of voting, the House finally declared Jefferson president and Burr vice president on February 7, 1801. However, the tension between Burr and Hamilton didn’t end there. Their rivalry escalated over the years, culminating in the infamous duel in 1804. Burr, still serving as vice president, shot and killed Hamilton, leaving an indelible mark on American history.
The Birth of a Nation and the Rise of a Leader
Let’s rewind to the very beginning. On July 4, 1776, the United States declared its independence from Great Britain, a date now celebrated as Independence Day. By the time of its first presidential election in 1788, the US comprised just 13 states, though only 10 were eligible to vote. Of these, only six allowed white male adults to vote, while the remaining four left the decision to state legislators.
George Washington, having led the US to victory in its fight for independence, was persuaded to emerge from semi-retirement and seek the presidency. He became the overwhelming favorite, garnering support from across the political spectrum. The election was conducted using the Electoral College system, where each state received a certain number of votes based on its population, a system that continues to be used today, albeit with modifications.
Out of 72 electors, 69 cast their votes, with each elector holding two votes – one for president and one for vice president. In a unanimous decision, all 69 electors voted for Washington, securing him the maximum possible votes. In 1792, Washington was persuaded to serve a second term, repeating the feat and receiving unanimous support from all 132 electors across the 15 states.
A Candidate’s Death Casts a Shadow
The 1872 election is remembered not only for Victoria Woodhull becoming the first woman to run for president, with abolitionist Frederick Douglass as her running mate, but also for the tragic passing of one of the main contenders. Horace Greeley, a newspaper founder, was not initially seen as a serious threat to incumbent President Ulysses S. Grant. However, dissatisfaction with Grant’s administration led some Republicans to form the Liberal Republican Party, which pledged its support to Greeley, who also ran as a Democrat.
Despite suspending his campaign to care for his ailing wife, who passed away just before the election, Greeley managed to garner 44 percent of the popular vote, securing nearly three million ballots. Tragically, on November 29, 1872, Greeley himself died before the Electoral College could cast its votes, making him the only presidential candidate in US history to pass away during an election. Of his 66 electoral votes, 63 were redistributed among various Democrats, including Thomas Hendricks, who would later become vice president. Notably, Grant attended his rival’s funeral, showcasing a sense of respect despite the political rivalry.
A Prison Campaign that Shocked the Nation
The 1920 election might have appeared as a straightforward contest between two newspaper publishers – Republican Warren G. Harding and Democrat James Cox – but it was the third-place finisher who truly made the election extraordinary. Harding secured a landslide victory, winning over 60 percent of the popular vote and capturing 37 out of 48 states, leaving Cox with a crushing defeat.
The true intrigue lay with the Socialist Party of America’s Eugene Debs. Having previously run for president in 1900, 1904, 1908, and 1912, Debs was no stranger to the campaign trail. In 1912, he had earned about six percent of the popular vote with over 900,000 ballots but failed to win any Electoral College votes. What made Debs’ 1920 campaign truly remarkable was that he conducted it entirely from prison. He was serving time for anti-war activism under the Espionage Act. Despite his incarceration, Debs again garnered over 900,000 votes but fell short of Harding’s 16 million votes.
The Headline That Made History
The 1948 election saw President Harry S. Truman facing an uphill battle for re-election. Having assumed office after Franklin D. Roosevelt’s death three years earlier, Truman was widely expected to lose to his Republican challenger, New York Governor Thomas E. Dewey. Opinion polls indicated a comfortable lead for Dewey, and Truman’s chances of victory seemed bleak.
The Chicago Tribune, convinced of Dewey’s victory, prematurely published early editions with the headline “Dewey Defeats Truman” while votes were still being counted. A printers’ strike had forced the paper to go to press earlier than usual, and the publisher, J. Loy Maloney, relying on the pollsters’ predictions, approved what would become one of the most famous headlines in history.
However, as the results rolled in, it became clear that Truman was headed for an unexpected victory. The Tribune quickly rectified its headline in later editions, but the damage had already been done. Two days after his win, Truman, who had endured relentless criticism from The Tribune throughout the campaign, held up a copy of the erroneous edition for photographers and celebrated his victory with a defiant grin.
These are just a few of the countless captivating and often bizarre moments that have shaped the history of US elections. These events highlight the dramatic and unpredictable nature of politics, underscoring the fact that the race for the White House has always been a rollercoaster ride of surprises, challenges, and unforgettable moments. From duels to prison campaigns, the journey to the presidency has always been a testament to the resilience, ambition, and occasionally bizarre twists of fate that have shaped the American political landscape.