Today in Wheeling History: September 24–In a pivotal moment for American politics, Republican presidential candidate Dwight D. Eisenhower and vice-presidential candidate Richard M. Nixon met in Wheeling, to determine Nixon’s place on the ticket following his famous "Checkers" speech (1952).
On September 24, 1952, Republican presidential candidate Dwight D. Eisenhower and vice-presidential candidate Richard M. Nixon met in Wheeling, West Virginia, to decide whether Nixon would remain on the ticket. This meeting came a day after Nixon’s famous “Checkers” speech, delivered on September 23, 1952, in which he defended himself against accusations of financial improprieties. The speech, named after Nixon’s dog Checkers, was a pivotal moment in his political career, as it garnered significant public support and ultimately led to Eisenhower’s decision to keep Nixon as his running mate. Dwight D. Eisenhower and Richard M. Nixon met at Stifel Field (now called the Ohio County-Wheeling Airport) on September 24, 1952. This meeting took place shortly after Nixon’s plane, the “Dick Nixon Special,” landed at the airport. The two men had a face-to-face discussion in Nixon’s airplane, where Eisenhower confirmed that Nixon would remain on the ticket as his vice-presidential running mate. This pivotal meeting was followed by a rally at Wheeling Island Stadium. The meeting in Wheeling was crucial in solidifying the Republican ticket, which went on to win the 1952 presidential election. This event highlights Wheeling’s role in a significant moment in American political history, showcasing the city’s connection to national events and figures. The decision made in Wheeling had a lasting impact on the political landscape of the United States, as Nixon would later become the 37th President of the United States. The meeting is a testament to the importance of Wheeling in the broader context of American history.
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV (https://tinyurl.com/3wa449zv) (https://tinyurl.com/4atnwfrh), Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/yrh7msty), New York Times (https://tinyurl.com/55k7yf9e), JSTOR (https://tinyurl.com/22szhywe)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Wheeling Intelligencer (September 25, 1952)
On September 24, 1952, Republican presidential candidate Dwight D. Eisenhower and vice-presidential candidate Richard M. Nixon met in Wheeling, West Virginia, to decide whether Nixon would remain on the ticket. This meeting came a day after Nixon’s famous “Checkers” speech, delivered on September 23, 1952, in which he defended himself against accusations of financial improprieties. The speech, named after Nixon’s dog Checkers, was a pivotal moment in his political career, as it garnered significant public support and ultimately led to Eisenhower’s decision to keep Nixon as his running mate. Dwight D. Eisenhower and Richard M. Nixon met at Stifel Field (now called the Ohio County-Wheeling Airport) on September 24, 1952. This meeting took place shortly after Nixon’s plane, the “Dick Nixon Special,” landed at the airport. The two men had a face-to-face discussion in Nixon’s airplane, where Eisenhower confirmed that Nixon would remain on the ticket as his vice-presidential running mate. This pivotal meeting was followed by a rally at Wheeling Island Stadium. The meeting in Wheeling was crucial in solidifying the Republican ticket, which went on to win the 1952 presidential election. This event highlights Wheeling’s role in a significant moment in American political history, showcasing the city’s connection to national events and figures. The decision made in Wheeling had a lasting impact on the political landscape of the United States, as Nixon would later become the 37th President of the United States. The meeting is a testament to the importance of Wheeling in the broader context of American history.
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV (https://tinyurl.com/3wa449zv) (https://tinyurl.com/4atnwfrh), Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/yrh7msty), New York Times (https://tinyurl.com/55k7yf9e), JSTOR (https://tinyurl.com/22szhywe)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Wheeling Intelligencer (September 25, 1952)
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