Photograph of Wendell Willkie on a black background with white text.

Born on February 18, 1892, Wendell Willkie was an American lawyer and corporate executive who is perhaps best known for being the 1940 Republican nominee for President. Campaigning against President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Willkie actively campaigned against Roosevelt's New Deal policy as well as for a more active role for the United States in World War II. On election day, President Roosevelt received twenty-seven million votes to Willkie's twenty-two million, and also held a substantial lead in the Electoral College with four hundred and forty-nine to Willkie's eighty-two.

Despite his loss, Willkie, to the surprise of many in his party, became an unlikely ally to the President. Between 1941 and 1943, Willkie embarked on numerous trips abroad, acting as the President's informal envoy. Willkie actively pushed for the United States to provide unlimited aid to Britain in their struggle against Nazi Germany. After returning to campaign once more for President in 1944, Willkie suffered a series of heart attacks, forcing him to leave the campaign. Willkie finally succumbed to a heart attack and died in 1944 at the age of fifty-two. Willkie is remembered and hailed for providing President Roosevelt with political assistance that proved vital to helping America's allies during World War II. 

Illustration of Ronald Reagan wearing a bowler hat with a shamrock tucked in the hat band with green text on a white background.

In 1981, Ronald Reagan addressed the country on March 16 to acknowledge and thank the contributions of Irish Americans.

"Nancy and I are delighted to wish a most happy St. Patrick's Day to everyone. It has been said that "the Irish, like the presence of God, are to be found everywhere.'' And that is certainly true. Even the Reagan family, with roots in Ballyporeen, County Tipperary, is rumored to have a home in Washington, D.C. In the name of every American, we gratefully honor the contributions of Irish Americans in every walk of life down through our nation's history. Just as St. Patrick brought the light of faith to Ireland, so Ireland, in turn, has given many gifted men and women to America. On this St. Patrick's Day, let us remember all our great Irish Americans. And let all sons and daughters of Erin keep green their Irish heritage, for their own sake and for the continued enrichment of American life."

Illustration of 5-pointed star inside a black square with black, red and blue text on a white background.

The 76^th Annual Missouri State Democratic Convention took place on Saturday, May 13 2000 at the Hearnes Center in Columbia, Missouri. At the convention, the Missouri Democratic Party nominated Al Gore for President, Mel Carnahan for Senator, and Bob Holden for Governor. Al Gore was serving as the 45^th Vice President of United States under President Bill Clinton during the 2000 presidential campaign. It was his second presidential run and he lost the election to the Republican candidate George W. Bush. Bob Holden was the 42^nd State Treasurer of Missouri during his campaign. He won the gubernatorial election against the Republican candidate Jim Talent and became the 53^rd Governor of Missouri.

Mel Carnaham was finishing up his second term as the 51^st Governor of Missouri at the time of the campaign. However, he died unexpectedly in a plane crash just three weeks before the election. His widow, Jean Carnaham, unofficially became the new Democratic candidate in place of her husband. Carnaham was elected posthumously to the US Senate and she held his seat for two years.

White text on a blue background.  Illustration of a thin American flag with 3 stripes and 3 stars, and illustration of a red star with curved tail.

In 2000, New York state voted for candidates Al Gore for President of the United States and Joe Lieberman for Vice President of the United States. Gore and Lieberman lost the election to George W. Bush and Dick Cheney by 5 electoral votes. Concurrently, Hillary Rodham Clinton ran for and was elected to the United States Senate as a representative for New York State. 

Black and white photograph of two men standing in front of a white background

This image was a popular postcard image created by The American Postcard Co. Inc. copyright of MC Ewan/Jason N.Y.C.. Little is know about the image origin, however, United States military ID tags can be seen. The faces of these muscular men have been replaced by Al Gore and Bill Clinton, President and Vice President winning the 1992 and 1996 elections. Clinton faced a number of sexual allegations regarding a female intern, infamously leading to a long court case and many news headlines.

Photograph of Al and Tipper Gore kissing with superimposed pink text.

“The Kiss” features then-Vice President and Presidential candidate Al Gore and his wife Tipper Gore after she introduced him during the 2000 Democratic Convention at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California on August 17, 2000. Because of the Monica Lewinsky scandal with then President Bill Clinton while Al Gore was Vice-President, it is believed Al Gore was sending a message that he was committed to his wife and wanted to distance himself from the affair of the previous administration.

White text on green background with white outline on edge.

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Illustration of Franklin D. Roosevelt in upper left corner.  Black text on a pink background.

After a landslide victory in the 1932 election against Herbert Hoover, President Franklin Roosevelt set about passing significant reform in the form of the ‘New Deal’ or a series of legislation aimed at protecting the poor and working class from economic upheaval, job loss, and to aid with retirement. However, in doing this Roosevelt alienated many important allies in the business community. In 1936, upon facing re-election Roosevelt had to vigorously defend his New Deal program from those who felt the economy was still too weak to bear the cost of these new programs. 

Blue horizontal stripe in center of button with white text.  Red text on white background.

Hillary Rodham Clinton was the First Lady of the United States while her husband, William "Bill" Clinton served as President of the United States from 1992 to 1996. In November 1996, Bill was successfully re-elected for a second term and Hillary remained the First Lady from 1997 to 2001.

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