Have a Holiday Idea? Submit and Get It Voted In!
Submit & Vote
.svg)
Celebrate National Dogs in Politics Day by taking your pup for a walk and showing your support for canine civic engagement!
Get ready to bark for joy on National Dogs in Politics Day on September 23! This special day celebrates the important role that canines have played throughout history as political figures, with some dogs even becoming elected officials. It's also a great way to pay tribute to all the furry friends out there who are making their mark in politics. So grab your pup and join us in celebrating National Dogs In Politics Day!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1952</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>"Checkers Speech"</div><div class='timeline-text'>Richard Nixon refers to his family's dog, Checkers, during a nationally-televised address. This moment is commonly known as the "Checkers Speech".</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1957</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Sputnik 2</div><div class='timeline-text'>Laika, a stray dog from Moscow, became the first animal to orbit Earth as part of Soviet mission Sputnik 2.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1964</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Him and Her</div><div class='timeline-text'>President Lyndon B. Johnson drew public criticism after lifting his pet beagle, Him, by the ears on the White House lawn.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1997</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Murphy Brown</div><div class='timeline-text'>Murphy Brown, a Labrador Retriever, unofficially "served" as chief of staff to Mayor Wilbur of Sunol, California.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2008</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div the='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Bo Obama</div><div class='timeline-text'>Bo, a Portuguese Water Dog, was gifted to the Obama family and became the 'First Dog' of the United States when President Obama took office.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2012</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Duke the Mayor</div><div class='timeline-text'>Duke, a Great Pyrenees, famously won the mayorship of Cormorant, Minnesota, serving until 2019.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Organize a rally</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather up your friends and organize a rally to promote dogs in politics. Have people dress up as their favorite political pooches and march from one end of your town to the other.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Write a letter</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Write a letter to your local and state representatives advocating for dogs in politics. Explain why you think they should be included in the political process.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host a debate</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Invite some of your friends to a debate party on National Dogs in Politics Day. Discuss the pros and cons of allowing canine candidates into the political arena.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Vote for your pup</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Register your pup as an official candidate for any upcoming election, even if it is just for local office. It's not the same as being elected, but it's still fun.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Donate to animal rights organizations</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Find an organization or charity that works towards giving animals a voice in politics and donate to them on National Dogs in Politics Day.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Dogs bring joy to politics</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Having a dog on the campaign trail or in the Oval Office can bring some levity and joy to what is often a stressful and exhausting job. The presence of a four-legged friend can lighten the mood, ease tensions, and create memorable moments between politicians, staff, and voters alike.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Dogs can be powerful symbols</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Many presidential dogs have become powerful symbols of their administrations, from Franklin D. Roosevelt's beloved Fala to Barack Obama's pup Bo. These furry friends help humanize their owners and give them an emotional connection with average Americans – which can be invaluable in times of crisis or during an election campaign.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Dogs can help de-stress</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>The demands of high office can be taxing, both mentally and physically. Having a canine companion around can provide much needed stress relief for hardworking politicians – who deserve all the moral support they can get! And don't forget, petting a friendly pup has scientific evidence that it reduces levels of stress hormones and increases feel good hormones like oxytocin.</p></div></div>
National Dogs in Politics Day is celebrated on September 23 every year. In 2024 National Dogs in Politics Day will occur on a Monday.
2023
Sep 23
Saturday
2024
Sep 23
Monday
2025
Sep 23
Tuesday
2026
Sep 23
Wednesday
2027
Sep 23
Thursday
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
