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History: Republican Elephant and Democratic Donkey
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by Rhonda J Mangus | November 4, 2008 at 07:42 am
25461 views | 31 Recommendations | 14 comments
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Did you ever wonder why the donkey is associated with the Democratic party and the elephant is associated with the Republican party?
The now-famous Democratic donkey was first associated with Democrat Andrew Jackson's 1828 presidential campaign. His opponents called him a jackass (a donkey), and Jackson decided to use the image of the strong-willed animal on his campaign posters. Later, cartoonist Thomas Nast used the Democratic donkey in newspaper cartoons and made the symbol famous.
Nast invented another famous symbol—the Republican elephant. In a cartoon that appeared in Harper's Weekly in 1874, Nast drew a donkey clothed in lion's skin, scaring away all the animals at the zoo. One of those animals, the elephant, was labeled “The Republican Vote.” That's all it took for the elephant to become associated with the Republican Party.
Democrats today say the donkey is smart and brave, while Republicans say the elephant is strong and dignified.
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (14)
at 07:57 on November 4th, 2008
Rhonda J Mangus, I like this story. It's good stuff. I found it interesting to see Sarah Palin wearing a "Donkey" scarf at a Reno Rally in October!
at 08:06 on November 4th, 2008
Hi Blue Crush! Thank you for reading and for the Flag. I just learned that someone in the crowd gave it to her. so the RNC was "let off the hook." Thanks again!
at 08:07 on November 4th, 2008
Thanks for uploading the photo, Blue Crush!
at 09:24 on November 4th, 2008
Rhonda J Mangus, what is so funny is I was just asking my work colleagues about this! Thanks for the information!
at 14:14 on November 4th, 2008
Amy, you are very welcome! Thank you for reading, commenting, and the Flag.
at 09:52 on November 4th, 2008
That's interesting, now I know, thanks
at 14:16 on November 4th, 2008
agdobson, you are very welcome. Thank you for reading and for commenting.
at 14:16 on November 4th, 2008
Thank you, Luiz!
at 14:18 on November 4th, 2008
Rhonda J Mangus, I like this story. It's good stuff. Thats really interesting. I'm surprised that he would use a picture of a donkey because someone called him a jackass. Unless jackass meant something else 180yrs ago.
at 16:45 on November 4th, 2008
JeffHuang, it seems Andrew Jackson picked up on the name-calling and turned it to his own advantage. Very interesting! Thanks for reading, commenting, and the Flag.
at 14:34 on November 4th, 2008
Rhonda J Mangus, I like this story. The elephant and the donkey, thanks fro explainer, I had no idea about this 2 icons coming alive
at 16:48 on November 4th, 2008
Thank you, SOLARLIFE. You are not alone:).
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kamalu (not verified)at 17:54 on November 4th, 2008
i hope obama wins this elcetion!!! people on this website!i hope you are voting for obama!!!i mean come on his grandma died he should be president his grandma would of wanted him to!!!!1
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lolmememememe (not verified)at 18:00 on November 4th, 2008
lol i need to know that homework i have a stupid teacher