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Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsWho was president when you were born? What was the earliest presidential election you remember?
Gerald Ford was president when I was born. I met Reagan and he shook my hand when he was running in 1980 but I was too young to remember. The first presidential election that I remember was 1984. I was in elementary school. My parents were big Mondale supporters and hated Reagan.
The first presidential election I was able to vote in was Clinton vs Dole.
safeinOhio
(32,674 posts)Jane Austin
(9,199 posts)And I remember my three-year-old self discussing the election very seriously, me pronouncing Eisenhower "too old" to run.
Ha!
safeinOhio
(32,674 posts)as a little kid. I thought he waved back at me.
Jane Austin
(9,199 posts)Wish I Had seen him.
ld
BlueTsunami2018
(3,491 posts)The first election I remember was between Ford and Carter. My parents were for Ford.
50 Shades Of Blue
(9,985 posts)The earliest election I remember was JFK's in 1960, when I was in third grade. It was a huge deal at my Catholic grade school.
jxla
(201 posts)at140
(6,110 posts)IDK, I only attended graduate college in engineering after arriving in US at age 20, and no American history was taught there.
Response to at140 (Reply #4)
Post removed
at140
(6,110 posts)Last edited Mon Feb 17, 2020, 09:51 PM - Edit history (1)
before granting me citizenship. And Abraham Lincoln is the most famous president around the world.
whathehell
(29,067 posts)and in any case, one needn't be "forced" to learn things one is genuinely interested in. Have a nice one.
at140
(6,110 posts)So please do not hold it against me for lack of American history.
But when I graduated from high school in India, I knew heckuva lot about British history
than 99% of Americans.
IrishEyes
(3,275 posts)Sadly, a lot of people born in America lack basic knowledge of American history. I'm guessing that you were born in 1950 since you said you came over here when you were 20. If that is right then Harry Truman was president when you were born. He was president from 1945 to 1953.
Response to at140 (Reply #76)
femmedem This message was self-deleted by its author.
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,683 posts)I vaguely remember being held up on my dad's shoulders at some kind of parade or event involving President Eisenhower, but the first actual election I remember was Kennedy vs. Nixon in 1960.
Zoonart
(11,860 posts)down to the parade. I thought I recognized you.
Delmette2.0
(4,164 posts)I mostly remember being confused about the different descriptions to Kennedy's status. There was candidate, nominee, President elect. At one point I thought he was the VP. Then I remember his famous line, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for for your country."
Kurt V.
(5,624 posts)a fan but otherwise apolitical.
whathehell
(29,067 posts)The first election I recall was his second term.
flor-de-jasmim
(2,125 posts)SouthernLiberal
(407 posts)Do not recall watching the Kennedy-Nixon debates when they happened - saw them in the years after.
Kennedy inspired my political activism which began with my first volunteer work delivering pamphlets door to door for a local campaign. I had asked people "Since President Kennedy said 'Ask not what your country can do for you ask what you can do for your country' - so what can I do?" They laughed "you're just a kid" The man I campaign for won and that shut up a bunch of folks.
customerserviceguy
(25,183 posts)I didn't turn five until just after the 1960 election, but my parents, being Catholic, were very excited about JFK's run for the top job. They actually spent the night on the sleeper couch in the living room to listen to returns coming in. It was like a party for me as a kid!
IrishEyes
(3,275 posts)Usually with friends and family. We always order takeout and cheer or boo when the results come in for different elections. I was glad that I was alone for the 2016 election. It was too sad.
CanonRay
(14,101 posts)I have a vague memory of Eisenhower meeting with Khrushchev.
redstatebluegirl
(12,265 posts)My parents were very involved. I was very very young, 5 years old in 1960 but they took me with them to all the events in Chicago. I can remember bits and pieces. The same when Bobby ran, at that point I was very aware.
appleannie1
(5,067 posts)while the family listened to Roosevelt give Fireside chats. Then watching Truman's daughter play a grand piano near the stairs in the WhiteHouse on the brand new Olympic television
Here she is singing
IrishEyes
(3,275 posts)Response to IrishEyes (Original post)
Name removed Message auto-removed
Watchfoxheadexplodes
(3,496 posts)First I really paid attention to was Reagan vs. Carter
dewsgirl
(14,961 posts)election I actually remember paying attention to was Bill Clinton's, I was in the 10th grade.
bobbieinok
(12,858 posts)2naSalit
(86,579 posts)when I was born. First election I recall was Kennedy, I remember watching the debate of fame on the teevee with my parents. I was well aware of many things that took place during Kennedy's term as much of it had a direct impact on my life then and thereafter... and my dad was a family friend of the Kennedys so the assassination was a major thing in our house.
Arkansas Granny
(31,515 posts)sinkingfeeling
(51,454 posts)TheCowsCameHome
(40,168 posts)Ike and Adlai '52.
MaryMagdaline
(6,854 posts)First presidential election I remember was 1964 LBJ and Goldwater. We lived in Santa Maria, CA. Lots of Goldwater people there.
Dave in VA
(2,037 posts)first election I remember was 1960.
I vividly remember Nixon and his horrors.
muntrv
(14,505 posts)Srkdqltr
(6,276 posts)Eisenhower is the first one I remember. I particularly remember Stevensons shoe with a hole in the bottom. First one I participated in was Kennedy's. I was a poll worker although I was to young to vote.
Sneederbunk
(14,290 posts)Response to IrishEyes (Original post)
Just_Vote_Dem This message was self-deleted by its author.
elleng
(130,895 posts)Eisenhower.
sarge43
(28,941 posts)First election: Eisenhower vs Stevenson, 1952
ProudMNDemocrat
(16,784 posts)First election I remember.....Kennedy versus Nixon 1960.
Generic Brad
(14,274 posts)And the first election I remember was when Nixon defeated Humphrey. Humphrey was a big deal in my corner of the world when I was growing up.
napi21
(45,806 posts)Just_Vote_Dem
(2,804 posts)And I remember Humphrey/Nixon because I had a blue top with a Humphrey sticker that I either found or someone gave me (the sticker).
alittlelark
(18,890 posts)Got to meet Kerry 2 houses E from my dads - unexpected. My baby daughter got a pic with him!!
dchill
(38,484 posts)Walleye
(31,017 posts)By 1956 we had a TV and I remember the conventions as being grownups carrying crazy signs and yelling at each other, in black and white. The first election I voted in was the 1972 California primary. I proudly voted for Shirley Chisholm. Didnt give a second thought to electability, not sure it was even a word then. Still happy with that vote and I dont think she could have done worse than McGovern.
MyOwnPeace
(16,926 posts)would have been better than Nixon!!!!!
That being said, Nixon did great things: EPA (that IQ45 is trying to destroy) and foreign relations (established relations with China).
But, boy, did he work to take care of the Good Old Boys of the Repugs!!!!!
Beartracks
(12,809 posts)I vaguely remember Ford being President, and Jimmy Carter being President after him. But the first election I was really aware of was Reagan vs. Carter in 1980.
My parents had been Democrats back in the day, but I think they switched parties by 1980; I remember them saying, "We didn't leave the Democratic party. The Democratic party left us."
===========
Wellstone ruled
(34,661 posts)polling Station where he voted for Truman. In Wisconsin,you vote at your Township Town Hall. Still remember my day driving his 1933 Tan ford with the Suicide doors and following the Highway Snow plow for ten miles to the Town hall.
TruckFump
(5,812 posts)I remember the Eisenhower election in 1952. He ran against Adlai Stevenson.
rzemanfl
(29,557 posts)TruckFump
(5,812 posts)I was only 4 years old, but I remember Eisenhower being elected.
rzemanfl
(29,557 posts)TruckFump
(5,812 posts)But who's counting!
rzemanfl
(29,557 posts)Those were the days. Arguing about important stuff like Keds vs. PF Flyers.
TruckFump
(5,812 posts)And...the argument in my neighborhood was black-and-white saddle shoes with black soles versus the preppy ones with orange soles! Gads, I cannot believe some of the things that were important back then. My mother votes for the ones with orange soles...so that is what I got!
rzemanfl
(29,557 posts)avatar.
MyOwnPeace
(16,926 posts)I'm happy to be able to "click" on the survey that asks: "Under 80!"
Alas, none of them do - it's all the "65 & over" bullshit - guess we should be happy we can still "click!"
rzemanfl
(29,557 posts)HubertHeaver
(2,522 posts)Voltaire2
(13,023 posts)IrishEyes
(3,275 posts)Truman was president when they were born and 1956 was the first election that they remember.
HubertHeaver
(2,522 posts)Thank you.
Kaleva
(36,298 posts)IrishEyes
(3,275 posts)doc03
(35,328 posts)backtoblue
(11,343 posts)Reagan a few months later.
The first presidential election I remember was Bush/Dukakis when I was 8 years old.
First vote was in 2000, for Al Gore. I havent forgotten or forgiven...
vlyons
(10,252 posts)My first POTUS childhood memories are of Eisenhower. I first voted for LBJ in 1968, and it was the last election in Texas that had a poll tax, which I think was about $2.50. I was a student at UT in Austin. Hook 'em Longhorns!
UrbScotty
(23,980 posts)1996 was the first election I remember. 2008 was the first in which I voted.
Sedona
(3,769 posts)At 6 years old I distinctly remember waking up my parents with the news of RFK assassination 06/05/68. I always woke first and turned on the tv for some children's show.; likely Captain Kangaroo.
We lived in suburban Boston and the Kennedys were like royalty in my house. My mother even painted JFKs portrait and it hung in our living room.
My parents thought I saw something about JFK and rolled back over to sleep. I was like no, its his brother Bobby. At six I knew the whose who of the Kennedy Clan. Crazy, I know right?
My mother came into the the livingroom, saw the tv and collapsed in sobs. It so vivid, 50+years later I remember the blue baby doll maternity nighty she had on that morning. My sister was just a few weeks away from being born.
Yeah I remember the 68 Democratic Convention & election like it was yesterday.
The sick part is, my beautiful mother who I watched paint JFK's portrait, with her That Girl flip and blue baby doll nighty is 80 now and an over the top Magat calling for the pardons of Flynn and Stone and the jailing of PBO & HRC on Facebook.
Its just as heartbreaking as losing Jack & Bobby before I was old enough to appreciate them.
Judy '68
[URL=https://app.photobucket.com/u/LisaCea/p/426239c5-71c5-4a63-a423-7c8f1874171b][IMG][/IMG][/URL]
NoPasaran
(17,291 posts)I remember waiting in the car while my mother voted in 1960. My dad was stationed in Korea at the time.
The Blue Flower
(5,442 posts)I was in 1st grade when I first heard "l like Ike."
zipplewrath
(16,646 posts)I turned 18 the year before in December. It was the first presidential election for which I was eligible.
The Genealogist
(4,723 posts)And there was no vice president, as Agnew had just resigned. The first presidential election I remember is Carter-Reagan in 1980, but my memory is a bit sketchy for many details. I more vividly remember Mondale-Reagan in 1984. My dad's people were (and are) Republicans and my mother's folks are Democrats.
OregonBlue
(7,754 posts)for Adlai Stevenson. My Mom was president of the local Young Democrats and loved Stevenson.
LastDemocratInSC
(3,647 posts)I remember seeing the 1956 political conventions on television.
IrishEyes
(3,275 posts)I hope your next birthday, there will be a democrat in the White House.
LastDemocratInSC
(3,647 posts)Chemisse
(30,811 posts)I didn't pay attention to any of the elections until Nixon/McGovern. I was just days shy of turning 18, so sadly unable to vote.
musette_sf
(10,200 posts)Earliest election I remember: 1956. One of my earliest memories is watching the 1956 Democratic Convention on TV. My parents supported Stevenson.
Earliest political event: My parents took me to see the John Kennedy motorcade on 11/7/60, when he was leaving Waterbury CT.
https://www.nytimes.com/2000/11/05/nyregion/view-waterbury-nov-6-1960-day-candidate-stormed-naugatuck-valley.html
Earliest candidate meeting: I met Bobby Kennedy and shook his hand in 1964 when he was running for US Senator from New York.
First election I voted in: 1972, for McGovern, of course.
* On edit:
Biggest political thrill: Sat next to That Beautiful Woman Seen Below In My Sig Ripping Up That Damn Speech, on a flight from SFO - DCA in 2014.
IrishEyes
(3,275 posts)Did you get a chance to talk to her? It must have ben cool to shake Bobby Kennedy's hand. My father worked on his campaign. I have a letter signed by Kennedy to my dad.
musette_sf
(10,200 posts)She was quite busy working and I wanted to respect her space.
Before we took off, she was on the phone with her daughter Christina (name on phone screen was "Tina" ), and after she ended the call, telling her that the plane was ready to taxi, she turned to me and said "Kids! You know how it is!"
Funny moment: she was watching the news channels on the seatback touchscreen, switching back and forth between MSNBC, CNN, and Bloomberg. At one moment, all three channels had commercials running. So she moved her finger and hovered above You Know What Channel I Mean, and I'll bet she was thinking, "Oh, Christ, should I even GO there??" She forged on and pressed the icon to look at it for a minute... fortunately for her no bloviating was going on at the moment, it happened to be something live from the House.
When we landed, I shook her hand, expressed my admiration and respect, and told her that this was my biggest thrill since I'd shaken Bobby Kennedy's hand 50 years earlier.
3catwoman3
(23,975 posts)I remember Eisenhower being in office, and the big deal it was when the doctors reported that hed experienced normal bowel function after his heart attack.
I remember the Kennedy-Nixon election.
rhiannon55
(2,671 posts)I first paid attention to an election in 1960 when JFK and Nixon were vying for the presidency. I was 9 and clueless about the issues, but I remember seeing them on tv debating.
rurallib
(62,411 posts)Actually remember it somewhat well - we had a TV and I spent a good amount of time in front of it from 4 to 6 daily which included Huntley and Brinkley
Yavin4
(35,438 posts)The first presidential election that I could remember was Nixon/McGovern in 1972. The first one that I voted in was 1984 Reagan/Mondale.
Va Lefty
(6,252 posts)My teacher Miss Walker had a transistor radio on that announced that Nixon had won. (1968)
Still Sensible
(2,870 posts)I have little memory of the 1960 election, I was almost six. I have quite a few memories of JFK's last year, including my dad taking me to see him in a motorcade and to speak live at West Virginia's Centennial that June. Many of the JFK memories are naturally intertwined with the space program, Shepard, Glenn, etc..
My first voting for president was in Arizona in '76. I was a registrar signing people up to vote at ASU and actually met Jimmy Carter--shaking his hand as his campaign was gaining steam.
Moostache
(9,895 posts)I remember a bit of Ford-Carter in '76 and definitely remember Carter-Reagan in '80...
The hostage crisis was one of the first political stories that I really paid attention to, but I remember my dad more than anything really saying how bad Reagan would be for the country...the old man was right! Love ya Dad...but you have lived long enough to see something much worse now.
Niagara
(7,605 posts)The first presidential election that I remember and paid attention to was Bush vs. Dukakis in 1988.
In 1992, I remember watching interviews with Bill Clinton and playing his saxophone.
I got to vote in my first presidential election on Nov. 5th, 1996, Clinton vs. Dole.
DeeDeeNY
(3,355 posts)The first election I remember was 1956, when my loyal Democratic parents taught me the rhyme Ike and Dick Make Me Sick and my 7-year old self recited that to just about everyone!
First election I remember is Truman's. Voted first time in 1960 for JFK, of course.
Liberty Belle
(9,535 posts)I saw Kennedy when I was 5 and he was assassinated a couple of months later. First election I remember was Lyndon B. Johnson who defeated Goldwater; I remember the mushroom cloud nuclear commercial.
First one I voted in was 1976 when Ford got elected after Nixon's resignation.
GP6971
(31,146 posts)1960 Kennedy / Nixon. Nixon's motorcade came through our town.
subterranean
(3,427 posts)I may have vague recollections of Nixon-McGovern in '72, but the 1976 election was the first one I can clearly recall.
Glorfindel
(9,729 posts)The earliest election I remember was that of 1952. My parents were impressed by Eisenhower ["I shall go to Korea"] but were disappointed that he chose to be a rePuke. They voted for Stevenson, of course. The first time I voted for president was for Lyndon Johnson in 1964.
Gore1FL
(21,130 posts)My first vote was in 84.
jimfields33
(15,787 posts)Carter vs. Reagan first I remember.
young_at_heart
(3,767 posts)My earliest memory of a presidential election was Truman in 1948 and my first time to vote was 1960 for Kennedy. I'm old!!
IrishEyes
(3,275 posts)relayerbob
(6,544 posts)First I recall anything of, was Johnson/Goldwater. Watched 1968 closely
Laffy Kat
(16,377 posts)relayerbob
(6,544 posts)cannabis_flower
(3,764 posts)First election I remember Nixon/Humphrey/Wallace were running.
lastlib
(23,224 posts)First election I really remember was '68--I was originally a Bobby Kennedy fan (still am!), and got to be "Humphrey" in 5th-grade mock election (I lost to both Nixon and Wallace--humiliating!). Got to meet Jimmy Carter in '76 when he came to our college (I was treasurer of campus Dems). Then came Reagan, and life went to hell......
UTUSN
(70,686 posts)Hangingon
(3,071 posts)I remember the 52 election. My Dad drove the nuns from my parochial school to the polls. When they came out they had all voted for Ike. Dad was not happy.the
IluvPitties
(3,181 posts)Bill Clinton was the 1st president I truly remember.
oswaldactedalone
(3,491 posts)Kennedy Nixon.
colsohlibgal
(5,275 posts)I have vague memories of the 1956 Election, more complete memories of the JFK/ Nixon 1960 race. I do remember when Truman was still alive and around.
emmaverybo
(8,144 posts)madamesilverspurs
(15,801 posts)Eisenhower v Stevenson
My third grade teacher saved one of my spelling tests and gave it to Mom. On the back I'd scrawled "Yay Ike! Boo Stevenson!" She said we apparently had some interesting dinner table conversations.
.
exboyfil
(17,862 posts)Probably 1972, but I think I have a few memories of the 1968 Chicago Democratic convention. Also I think I saw news stories about Robert Kennedy being killed.
sakabatou
(42,152 posts)Earliest election I remember was '96. First presidential election I participated in was the 2008 election.
COLGATE4
(14,732 posts)Laffy Kat
(16,377 posts)I am so freakin' old.
Nixon vs McGovern
Chipper Chat
(9,678 posts)I remember the folks listening to him talk on the radio. In 1948 my grandparents came home from voting and announced they voted for Dewey. I was confused when Truman won because "he wasnt supposed to"
nancy1942
(635 posts)I remember the 1952 race between Dwight Eisenhower and Adlai Stevenson and I first voted in the 1964 Johnson vs Goldwater election.
DAMANgoldberg
(1,278 posts)1980 Carter/Reagan is when I started paying attention. 1984 was my 1st vote for Walter Mondale. Oh well.
KBlagburn
(567 posts)I missed Kennedy by 5 months. Carter was really the first campaign I was really interested in. Mondale was the first I was able to vote for.
Response to IrishEyes (Original post)
geralmar This message was self-deleted by its author.
Iggo
(47,552 posts)MFM008
(19,808 posts)But i didnt pay attention till 72 and McGovern simply because we had the same name.
Never voted republican again after 1984.
pansypoo53219
(20,976 posts)Mike 03
(16,616 posts)By the time I was brought home from the hospital, Lyndon Johnson was president. My mother always recalls those first days home from the hospital: "Nobody paid any attention to us because the president had just been assassinated."
I have the vaguest recollection of Watergate but barely understood it.
My first vivid memories are of Jimmy Carter, but I remember going with my dad to get the car filled up during gas rationing under Ford and WIN ("Whip Inflation Now" . I went with my mother when she voted for Carter but was too young to vote, but I thought it was really exciting to go to a polling place.
You'd think I'd have clearer memories of Watergate, but I really don't.
rampartc
(5,407 posts)I remember Eisenhower and jfk. my first vote was for McGovern.
the greatest president of my lifetime? I'm very proud of jimmy carter.
Turin_C3PO
(13,975 posts)My first political memory is the night in 1992 that Clinton won.
hedda_foil
(16,373 posts)The first election I recall is Eisenhower v Stevenson in '52. I was 7 and remember reading about the Republican candidates in Parade magazine before Joe decided to run as a Republican. The rest of them sounded deadly boring to me. I wasn't quite sure which party was which but I remember watching both conventions on tv and the Dems had a lot more fun. Lots of floor demonstrations. By the election, I had the parties figured out and was a confirmed Democrat. Of course my entire family was and remains solid blue.
Freddie
(9,265 posts)Dont remember him as president. Have a vague recollection (Id just turned 4) of my parents bringing me home a Nixon balloon in 1960.
WhiteTara
(29,705 posts)and JFK was the first election. I was 13 when he was assassinated.
Fla Dem
(23,656 posts)But seriously, with limited tv, no social networks and only the newspaper, which I couldn't read yet, I have no recollection of any political news in my early youth. There was never any political conversations in my immediate or extended family. I certainly knew at some point Eisenhower was the president, but it really didn't mean much to me.
Became interested in JFK's run for President in the 1960.
lark
(23,097 posts)My parents were very unhappy with the way that one went and I was too young to really have an opinion.
Harker
(14,015 posts)reported shot while I was watching Bozo the Clown in suburban Chicago.
When I told my mom about it she said, "no, Harker, it was President Lincoln who was shot."
The King of Prussia
(737 posts)had been President for a few months when I was born. The first election I remember was 1968 - specifically the murder of Bobby. I'm English, and the first General Election I remember was 1970 - I actually shook Ted Heath's hand. In the course of the next 50 years I have not touched another politician.
MissMillie
(38,553 posts)The first election I remember was Ford vs. Carter in 1976.
The first election I was eligible to vote in was Reagan v. Mondale. (1984)
liberaltrucker
(9,129 posts)Was 6 when JFK was elected. Remember it vaguely.
jpak
(41,757 posts)I remember seeing him on the TV news.
Watched the Kennedy-Nixon debate too with my Dad - even tho I was a wee lad....
Aristus
(66,328 posts)I was too young to remember the 1972 election. But I remember in 1974 when my mother showed me a newspaper picture of Gerald Ford, and she told me "He's going to be our President now." I kept hearing the word 'Watergate', but had no idea what it meant. I saw the boring televised Congressional hearings with all those drab, grey-faced men saying boring things. I had only the vaguest idea who Nixon was. My father read his books, but neither of my parents cared very much for him.
I remember the election of 1976. I think that was the first year they used the electronic board with states colored red or blue. I didn't really know who was running, or really much of anything about politics. But I remember not long after the election, the peanut farmer jokes started.
bikebloke
(5,260 posts)But I remember Kennedy being elected.
MerryBlooms
(11,769 posts)MountCleaners
(1,148 posts)Born near the end of LBJ's second term, and my parents named me after him. First election I remember was '72, we watched every Democratic Primary on TV, and those were my favorite memories.
In '76, we traveled to Plains and met the Carters. First election I voted in was 88. I campaigned for Jesse Jackson.
Response to IrishEyes (Original post)
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DFW
(54,370 posts)It was his last full year in office.
I have a vague childhood memory of a Stevenson rally my parents attended in 1956. There was a big white house, and it was somewhere in Virginia.
The first election I have specific memories of was 1960. My dad was sent out to L.A. to cover the convention, and took the family.
I had no idea who Hubert Humphrey was (a family friend, but that meant nothing to me at age 8). My dad told me to tell him "hope you get the nomination," and I remember asking my dad "what's a nomination?"
xmas74
(29,674 posts)(Born end of 1974.)
I was in kindergarten in 1980 and remember our Weekly Reader had us vote for either Reagan, Carter or Anderson. My father voted for Reagan, mother no one (first ever vote was 2016) and I voted for Carter. I showed my paper to my favorite Aunt Piggy and she asked why I chose Carter. My answer? "He looks kind and like he wants to help people." She agreed and said she was voting for him.
I campaigned for Clinton in 1992 and even met both Bill and Hillary but I missed the vote by one month. I voted for city council in April of 1993, voted in my first major race in 1994 (Ike Skelton for Congress) and voted for Clinton in 1996. I've never missed an election.
tblue37
(65,340 posts)GanjaGrower
(83 posts)The first election I remembered was Clinton beating Bush. I was 6 and was fascinated by Chelsea because her dad was the new president (and my parents liked him a lot). In my imagination I pictured her getting to eat all the ice cream she wanted, watch all the cartoons she wanted, and never having to take a nap or do homework.
radical noodle
(8,000 posts)I really don't remember him. The first president I remember is Eisenhower. I had an "I Like Ike" button that my grandmother gave me on my coat. My family never discussed politics that much (although they always voted) and I didn't understand the difference in parties until JFK/Nixon in 1960 when we discussed it in 7th-grade history class.
catbyte
(34,376 posts)I was born in 1955
dawg day
(7,947 posts)First election I remember was 1960. We were for Nixon. That's why I got annoyed with people who yelped about Secy Clinton as a "Goldwater Girl." For many of us, parental Republicanism is something we quickly outgrow.
eppur_se_muova
(36,261 posts)My classmates and I thought we were supposed to vote for Wallace, because we were in AL and he was from AL. How simple politics seemed to us -- you just voted for 'one of us'! Good thing most people learn better than that by the time they're old enough to vote !
KY_EnviroGuy
(14,490 posts)Oddly enough, the only specific thing I remember from '64 was the very few Republicans in town passing out cans of Goldwater soft drink.
We were far more worried about the draft and Vietnam than anything as teenage boys.
The first president I remember was Ike.
KY............