Get out the Checker Board. Today is Checkers Day. So, do you want the red checker or the black ones?
It may surprise you to know that it is also Dogs in Politics Day. Read on, and we will explain the connection.
Origin of Checkers Day:
In 1952, Richard M. Nixon was a candidate for Vice-President of the United States, running with Dwight D. Eisenhower. Media speculation centered around an $18,000 campaign contribution, and speculation that Nixon may have used some for his personal use. In a brilliant political maneuver, Nixon took his case to the American people.
On September 23, 1952, Richard Nixon gave a speech that directly addressed and explained the issue. He assured the public that he did not use any of the funds for personal use. Towards the end of the speech, he stated that his daughters had received a dog, which they named “Checkers”, as a gift. He said they would keep the dog.
This speech quickly became known as the “Checkers” speech, and went on to be one of the better speeches in American political history.
With “Checkers” the dog included in the speech, this day was sometimes referred to as Dogs in Politics Day.