POTUS TKOs (November 3)

We’ve been out of commission for a while, but we’re back (hopefully for a longer stint).

Normally, our Spotlight is on one event or person. However, there are a few instances in history that occurred on this day that all share the same theme. So here is a quick synopsis of them (in chronological order, of course):

While the popular vote was a tight one, Democrat Horatio Seymour was bested by Republican Ulysses S. Grant in terms of electoral votes on November 3, 1868, becoming America’s 18th President. Of the 294 electoral votes for the taking between 34 states, 214 went to Grant. This election was particularly important because it was taking place during the Reconstruction.

November 3, 1908 saw the election of America’s 28th President (who would later become the 10th Chief Justice). What is quite interesting about this election was that the Democratic nominee, William Jennings Bryan, was no stranger to Presidential elections. Or losing them: he had lost in 1896 to William McKinley, and again in 1900… to William McKinley (the man can’t get a break, huh). I guess thinking that the 3rd time is a charm, he ran again, and was quite popular. Sadly, Republican William Howard Taft (who was persuaded by close friend and incumbent President Theodore Roosevelt to run), would collect 321 of the 483 amongst the 46 continental states (No Arizona or New Mexico). Perhaps Bryan should have run against someone with a different first name than his. Just a thought…

Over 27 Million Americans showed their support for a man named Franklin Delano Roosevelt, as he is elected for the 2nd of 4 terms on this day, November 3, 1936. This election is particularly historic, as it is the most lopsided electoral victory in U.S. History. Of the 531 electoral votes spread across 48 states (remember, Alaska & Hawaii were not states yet), FDR nabbed 523 of them. For those of you playing at home, that leaves the other 8 (3 from Vermont and 5 from Maine) going to Republican Alf Landon.

An election with all of the states, finally (and including Washington D.C.). With the assassination of JFK in 1963, Democrat Lyndon B. Johnson had taken over as President. This election, occurring on November 3, 1964, was notable due to the popular-vote percentage won by the winner: 61.1% (over 43 Million Americans). Republican Barry Goldwater received 52 of the 538 electoral votes possible from 6 states. This win would solidify a full term for Johnson, America’s 36th President. One other thing to note is that this would be first time that D.C. would be included with Electoral College (contributing 1 vote).

Lastly, we highlight an election three-way (oh yeah…). Republican Incumbent George H.W. Bush was seeking a second term, Democrat Bill Clinton was the party’s poster child, and Ross Perot would drop out of the race early on, only to reenter the race later on (what a guy). This election was particularly interesting because Clinton would win a plurality with the popular vote (he got more than any other candidate, with 44 Million, but did not get the majority of the popular votes, i.e. 51%). Securing 370 electoral votes with 32 states, including D.C., Clinton became America’s 42nd President, on November 3, 1992.

For more information about these (and every other) American presidents, cast your vote by clicking here.

DUH OTHERS:
Laika, a Russian dog, becomes the first animal to orbit in space in 1957 (sadly, there were no hydrants installed on Sputnik 2)
Poland tells Russia to back off, declaring its independence from them in 1918
Aaron McKinney is convicted in the murder of Matthew Shepard, a gay college student in Wyoming, in 1999 (This event would be the basis for the play The Laramie Project)

CLAP ON (CLAP CLAP):
Chilean Carlos Ibáñes del Campo (20th & 26th President of Chile) in 1877
English Musician Brian Poole (The Tremeloes) in 1941
American Comedian Dennis Miller (SNL, MNF) in 1953
American Elizabeth Smart (Kidnapped For 9 Months Between ’02-’03) in 1987

CLAP OFF (CLAP CLAP):
American Annie Oakley (Sharp-Shooter) in 1926
French Artist Henri Matisse (“Woman With A Hat”) in 1954
American Comic Artist Bob Kane (Co-Creator Of Batman) in 1998
Ecuadorean Alberto Spencer (Soccer Player) in 2006

HOLIDAZE:
Happy Independence Day in Panama (from Columbia in 1903), Dominica (from Britain in 1978), and Micronesia (from The U.S. in 1986)!