1840: Hard Cider and Log Cabins

Martin Van Buren was unanimously re-nominated by his fellow Democrats to seek re-election in 1840, despite the disastrous banking failure of 1837. Van Buren’s nickname was “Old Kinderhook, ” a reference to his home in Kinderhook, New York, and the origin of the term “O. K. ” His candidacy, however, was not O. K. with voters, who had grown tired of three terms of Democratic Presidencies. They responded more enthusiastically to Harrison's spirited campaign.


Van Buren Campaign Items, ca. 1840.


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