"Dogs in Politics Day" is upon us, but do we actually know what it means and how it started?
Americans have always loved dogs, so it makes sense that their politicians would also. To date there have been 44 presidents in office, and all but two have had pets while in the White House, according to the Examiner.
The holiday came to be on a fateful day in 1955, when President Richard Nixon mentioned his dog, a black-and-white spotted Cocker Spaniel named Checkers, in a speech broadcast to the nation. Checkers would take the nation by storm.
The "Checkers" speech was given on Sept. 23, when Richard Nixon referred to his new dog while addressing the nation, according to Presidential Pet Museum. Nixon was using a televised broadcast to dispel any ideas that he had used some of an $18,000 campaign fund for his own personal use.
The somber speech took a turn when Nixon began talking about his adorable dog that he and the rest of the Nixons were clearly smitten with.
"A man down in Texas heard Pat (Nixon's wife) on the radio mention the fact that our two youngsters would like to have a dog. And, believe it or not, the day before we left on this campaign trip we got a message from Union Station in Baltimore saying they had a package for us. We went down to get it. You know what it was?" Nixon asked.
"It was a little Cocker Spaniel dog in a crate that he'd sent all the way from Texas. Black and white spotted. And our little girl - Tricia, the six-year old - named it Checkers. And you know, the kids, like all kids, love the dog and I just want to say this right now, that regardless of what they say about it, we're gonna keep it."
From that day on, Dogs in Politics has been celebrated on Sept. 23 each year, and as we get to know a few of the highlights from the holiday and the dogs that have shared the White House and famed Oval Office with their beloved owners, remember who started it all. A tiny little cocker spaniel named Checkers.
The White House has seen more breeds, mixes and out-of-the ordinary pet's cycle through the doors but today, we celebrate the dogs.
Bo and Sunny, Portuguese Water Spaniels, President Barack Obama. This adorable furball pair of Portuguese Water Spaniels arrived as a gift from Ted Kennedy, when the Obamas were researching just the right breed for their family needs.
Mrs. Beazley and Spot, Scottish Terrier and Springer Spaniel, Former President George W. Bush. Mrs. Beazley was a little Scottish Terrier that stole Laura Bush's heart when she was gifted to the then-president's wife by her husband the president. The Bushs have a long-time love affair with Springer Spaniels and already had a delightful one named Spot that was a puppy from the famous Millie, his father's Springer Spaniel. Mrs. Beazley was one of a kind and a quirky fun little addition to the White House.
Millie, Springer Spaniel, Former President George Bush. Millie was the fun loving active Springer Spaniel that was with the Bushs no matter where they went. Millie was also the first dog in the white house to write a book.
Lucky, Bouvier de Flandres, Former President Ronald Reagan. Lucky was full of life and charismatic energy, just like the owner who adored her. Regean was a movie star-turned president, but Lucky was the real star of the show at the White House.
Liberty, Golden Retriever, Former President Gerald Ford. Liberty was seen often with former president Ford and what Liberty loved more than anything, says Dog Guide, was to go swimming in the pond at Camp David.
Man's best friend, politician's best friend, our best friend. The United States is a country that loves its dogs, and it starts from the leadership and trickles down to the rest.
