With Election Day upon us, it can be fun and rewarding to look back on the many campaigns, races and elections that have taken place throughout the past 250 years of U.S. history. Many have argued America has the envy of the rest of the world because of its elections and the ways in which the voting process has evolved significantly since the late 1700s.
Let's take a look at some fun facts regarding presidential elections in the U.S.
We have come a long way
Election Days through the first 50 years of the country's sovereignty involved a whole lot more eating, revelry and libations, as well as vocal votes for all the positions open in the election. Essentially, communities would gather and give a loud “Yay” or “Nay,” and one administrator would be assigned to counting the votes, then reporting them to Washington.
Whichever way the wind blows
Up until the 1900s, Election Days varied by the year, with weather’s impacts on farmers having the biggest implications for the actual day. Now, elections are held in a highly regimented schedule, with the Presidential Election being held on the first Tuesday following the first Monday of November.
Not as many presidents as you think
History Channel, a media company devoted to historic matters, points out that while President Barack Obama is known as the 44th President of the U.S., that number is misleading. Grover Cleveland was elected twice in nonconsecutive elections making President Obama the 43rd U.S. President. This means that there have been 44 Presidential Elections, but only 43 unique presidents in the past 250 years.
Popular does not always mean winner
Did you know that in four separate elections the winners of the popular vote lost to their opponent? The most widely discussed iteration was in 2000 when candidate Al Gore lost the race to George W. Bush despite winning the popular vote. Andrew Jackson, Samuel Tilden and Grover Cleveland all experienced similar fates throughout the 1800s, The History Channel notes.
The current election has been widely considered as the most important in modern American history and one that could decide the fate of the nation through the next several decades. As such, we urge you to get out an exercise your right to vote.
Happy Election Day!
Let's take a look at some fun facts regarding presidential elections in the U.S.
We have come a long way
Election Days through the first 50 years of the country's sovereignty involved a whole lot more eating, revelry and libations, as well as vocal votes for all the positions open in the election. Essentially, communities would gather and give a loud “Yay” or “Nay,” and one administrator would be assigned to counting the votes, then reporting them to Washington.
Whichever way the wind blows
Up until the 1900s, Election Days varied by the year, with weather’s impacts on farmers having the biggest implications for the actual day. Now, elections are held in a highly regimented schedule, with the Presidential Election being held on the first Tuesday following the first Monday of November.
Not as many presidents as you think
History Channel, a media company devoted to historic matters, points out that while President Barack Obama is known as the 44th President of the U.S., that number is misleading. Grover Cleveland was elected twice in nonconsecutive elections making President Obama the 43rd U.S. President. This means that there have been 44 Presidential Elections, but only 43 unique presidents in the past 250 years.
Popular does not always mean winner
Did you know that in four separate elections the winners of the popular vote lost to their opponent? The most widely discussed iteration was in 2000 when candidate Al Gore lost the race to George W. Bush despite winning the popular vote. Andrew Jackson, Samuel Tilden and Grover Cleveland all experienced similar fates throughout the 1800s, The History Channel notes.
The current election has been widely considered as the most important in modern American history and one that could decide the fate of the nation through the next several decades. As such, we urge you to get out an exercise your right to vote.
Happy Election Day!
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