There are hundreds of holidays dedicated to life’s everyday joys, like “National Cheeseburger Day” on September 23rd, but few have a story quite so American as “Dogs in Politics Day.”
Sometimes known as “Checkers Day,” this holiday was inspired by a campaign speech that the then-vice-presidential candidate, Richard Nixon, gave on September 23rd, 1952, addressing accusations that he used campaign funds for personal expenses. He denied the claims with one exception: the spaniel, Checkers, had been given as a gift from a campaign donor to his daughters.
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One of the most famous presidential dogs in US history was the Scottish terrier, Fala, short for “Murray the Outlaw of Falahill,” who was a close companion to Franklin D. Roosevelt. Fala was so beloved by Americans that he even became the subject of two feature films.
During World War II, Fala’s popularity also helped American servicemen prevent German spies from infiltrating their ranks; newcomers were expected to know the name of the Commander in Chief’s dog.
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Terriers and spaniels are perennial favorites in the White House, it seems. George W. Bush kept spaniels bred from those owned by his father, George H. W. Bush, along with two Scottish terriers, Barney and Miss Beazley.
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Today, President Obama’s Portuguese Water dogs, Sunny and Bo, grace the White House with their playful antics, not to mention hypoallergenic coats to keep First daughter, Malia’s, allergies at bay.
Who are your favorite Presidential dogs?
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