Mark Thorburn

From the identity and motives of America's first faithless presidential elector to the Venezuelan yachtsman who sought the White House, Presidential Election Trivia presents over 50 fascinating facts and stories of intriguing and colorful events and personalities that have arisen during the United States' past presidential campaigns.  These include:

Only ten of the original 13 states participated in the first presidential election.

The Anti-Masonic Party, the first third party in American history, nominated a former Mason for president.

Richard Johnson was almost defeated when he ran for vice president because of his relationship with one of his slaves.

Joseph Smith, the founder of the Mormon Church, was the first presidential candidate to be assassinated.

Stephen Douglas was the first major party presidential nominee to undertake a nationwide speaking tour during a campaign (and it almost killed him).

Simon Wing, the Socialist Labor candidate for president in 1892, favored the abolition of the office he was seeking.

There was not one, but three, African-Americans running for president in 1904.  Two were ex-Democrats and one was a former Republican.

Warren Harding was elected president on his 55th birthday.

The first radio debates between presidential candidates involved two Republicans and two socialists.

One woman, Elizabeth Dole, ran for the Republican presidential nomination years before Hillary Clinton sought the White House.

17-year old Elijah Manley received 3 1/4 votes for president at the Green Party's 2016 national convention.

And so much . . . .