On September 23, 1952, Vice President Candidate, Richard Nixon, gave a speech that was called the “Checkers Speech”. Accused of improprieties relating to a fund established by his backers to reimburse him for his political expenses, Nixon needed to defend himself. His place on the Republican ticket was in jeopardy as well, so he flew to Los Angeles and delivered a half-hour television address. It was in this speech that Nixon stated that regardless of what anyone said, he intended to keep one gift; a black-and-white dog the Nixon children had named “Checkers”, thus giving the speech its famous name.
The “Checkers Speech” was seen, or heard, by about 60 million Americans, the largest television audience at that time, and it led to an outpouring of public support.
Thanks to Checkers, Nixon made the ticket and we celebrate Dogs in Politics Day or better known as National Checkers Day.