9 of the most memorable presidential elections in American history

Frank OlitoNov 3, 2020, 23:02 IST

Harry Truman holds up the first edition of the Chicago Daily Tribune, which incorrectly printed that he lost the 1948 election.Underwood Archives / Getty

While it may seem each presidential election is more shocking than the one before, American politics has a long history of memorable moments.
Some elections have dramatically changed the course of history — just weeks after Abraham Lincoln's inauguration in 1861, the Civil War began.
The election of 1800 marked the first peaceful transition of power in the new country.
More recent elections have also seen historic firsts: In 2008, Barack Obama became the first Black president.

Although the 2020 presidential race between President Donald Trump and Joe Biden may seem unprecedented, American politics has a long history of shocking and memorable moments.

Dating back to the 1800s, presidential races have been riddled with scandals, neck-and-neck polls, and voting recounts. Others have seen historic firsts, like the first Black president or the first female presidential nominee.

Take a look back at some of the most memorable elections in American history.

The election of 1800 marked the first peaceful transition of power in the US ... after a tie and the efforts of Alexander Hamilton.

Thomas Jefferson. GraphicaArtis / Getty

When Abraham Lincoln won the election of 1860, it tore the nation apart.

Abraham Lincoln. Alexander Gardner / Stringer / Getty Images

Theodore Roosevelt started a third party in the 1912 election and took a bullet to the chest at one campaign stop.

Theodore Roosevelt. Bettmann / Getty

In 1948, Harry Truman shocked the nation — and Truman himself — when he won the presidential election.

Harry Truman. Underwood Archives / Getty

The 1960 race between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon featured the first televised debates, signaling a more modern campaign.

Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy. Hulton Archive/Getty Images

In 1984, Ronald Reagan won every single state except one, making it one of the biggest landslides in history.

Ronald Reagan. CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images

The Supreme Court had to decide the results of the 2000 election after a close call in Florida.

Al Gore and George W. Bush. AP Photo/Ed Reinke, File

In 2008, Barack Obama was elected to office, becoming the nation's first Black president.

John McCain and Barack Obama. AP

The 2016 election between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton became the most talked-about race in recent history.

Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. David Goldman/AP Photo

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