We’ve all heard stories of much-loved dogs in political circles. Now, a whole holiday celebrating these political canines takes place on September 23. Specifically, this day celebrates the dog or dogs living in the White House. However, you can also use it to celebrate just about any canine involved in politics.
There aren’t many official ways to celebrate, though.
History
Richard Nixon employed the television medium, which was still in its early stages, to communicate directly with a record-breaking 60 million viewers on September 23, 1952. This speech, famously called the “Checkers Speech,” was a rebuttal to accusations of Nixon’s misuse of campaign contributions.
By alluding to his children and their black and white cocker spaniel, Checkers, Nixon managed to strike a chord with the public, portraying himself with a more approachable personality. His speech helped him gain the public’s confidence, downplay the allegations, and remain on the Eisenhower ticket as the vice president.
It is a well-known truth that throughout history, almost every President of the United States has had a canine as part of their First Family. This is not unexpected considering the American people’s fondness for dogs and the creatures’ ability to alleviate nearly any situation—a crucial trait for the most powerful position in the world.
How to Celebrate
There are many ways you could celebrate this holiday. It’s a great way to get children interested in history. However, there aren’t many official ways to celebrate, and events are hard to come by.
- Learn about famous political dogs: Spend time researching famous dogs that have played a role in politics and government. For example, you could learn about Checkers, the Cocker Spaniel that helped Richard Nixon during his 1952 presidential campaign, or Bo and Sunny, the Portuguese Water Dogs owned by Barack Obama during his time in the White House.
- Donate to a political or animal welfare organization: Consider donating to a political campaign or animal welfare organization in honor of National Dogs in Politics Day. This could be a great way to support important causes while also celebrating the role dogs play in politics.
- Host a dog-friendly political event: If you have a dog-friendly venue, consider hosting an event that celebrates National Dogs in Politics Day. You could invite local politicians or community leaders to attend and encourage them to bring their own dogs. This could be a fun way to connect with others in your community and celebrate dogs’ important role in politics and government.
- Share photos of your dog on social media: Use social media to share photos of your own dog and celebrate National Dogs in Politics Day. You could share a photo of your dog wearing a political-themed outfit or use a political-themed hashtag to connect with others who are celebrating this special day.
- Volunteer at a local animal shelter: You could celebrate National Dogs in Politics Day by volunteering at a local animal shelter or rescue organization. This could be a great way to give back to your community while celebrating the important role dogs play in our lives.
Final Thoughts
This holiday isn’t one of the most well-known. Events centered around this holiday are hard to find. However, you can celebrate yourself in a few ways, such as volunteering or donating to an appropriate organization. If you have kids, use political dogs to introduce historical figures.
Featured Image Credit: Beach Creatives, Shutterstock
