DEWEY DEFEATS TRUMAN: How the Famous Wrong Headline Happened #Shorts
Pack: 45 - DEWEY DEFEATS TRUMAN How the Famous Wrong Headline Happened
On election night, November 2, 1948, the Chicago Daily Tribune went to press with "DEWEY DEFEATS TRUMAN." Here is how the most famous wrong headline happened, told in National Archives photographs. (The famous wire photo is not shown; the headline is set as text.)
- The polls had Thomas Dewey ahead; Elmo Roper stopped polling on September 9, 1948 (Missouri State Archives, after Ferrell).
- President Harry Truman campaigned by train: "I have traveled up and down this Nation 22,000 miles since the campaign started" (Truman, St. Louis, October 30, 1948).
- A printers' strike forced the Tribune to choose its headline early, on its veteran reporter's forecast; about 150,000 first-edition copies went out (American Heritage).
- Truman won 303 electoral votes to Dewey's 189 (National Archives).
- On November 4, 1948, at St. Louis Union Station, Truman held the paper up for photographers (Truman Library).
Why do you think the polls missed it? Tell us in the comments. Full story in our documentary, The Full History of Voting in America.
Quick answers
What is “DEWEY DEFEATS TRUMAN: How the Famous Wrong Headline Happened” about?
On election night, November 2, 1948, the Chicago Daily Tribune went to press with "DEWEY DEFEATS TRUMAN." Here is how the most famous wrong headline happened, told in National Archives photographs. (The famous wire photo is not shown; the headline is set as text.)
What are the key facts?
The polls had Thomas Dewey ahead; Elmo Roper stopped polling on September 9, 1948 (Missouri State Archives, after Ferrell). President Harry Truman campaigned by train: "I have traveled up and down this Nation 22,000 miles since the campaign started" (Truman, St. Louis, October 30, 1948).
What sources is this Short based on?
It cites American Heritage, "Newspaper Headline"; Missouri State Archives, Truman project, the 1948 election; Harry S. Truman, Address in the Kiel Auditorium, St. Louis, October 30, 1948 (American Presidency Project); National Archives, 1948 Electoral College results; and 1 more. Links are in the Sources list below.
Sources
- American Heritage, "Newspaper Headline"
- Missouri State Archives, Truman project, the 1948 election
- Harry S. Truman, Address in the Kiel Auditorium, St. Louis, October 30, 1948 (American Presidency Project)
- National Archives, 1948 Electoral College results
- Harry S. Truman Library, the 1948 election
Images
- President Truman on the rear platform of the presidential train, October 2, 1948, NARA 199960 — Abbie Rowe — Public domain —
- Thomas E. Dewey, about 1948, Library of Congress cph.3c06327 — Greystone Studio — Public domain —
- The Truman family on the rear platform, October 2, 1948, NARA 199963 — Abbie Rowe — Public domain —
- The Trumans and Alben Barkley in Washington, November 5, 1948, NARA 199944 — Abbie Rowe — Public domain —
- Truman and Barkley riding through Washington, November 5, 1948, NARA 199938 — Abbie Rowe — Public domain —
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