William Henry Harrison's 1840 presidential campaign elevated Harrison, who had served as a general and in the U.S. Congress, to the presidency after at least four years of seeking the office. In the election, Harrison defeated the incumbent Democrat, President Martin Van Buren, in a campaign that broke new ground in American politics. Among other firsts, Harrison's victory was the first time the Whig Party won the presidency. Harrison gained the nomination over Henry Clay and Winfield Scott. Many of his rallies took on a carnival atmosphere, growing to unprecedented size. He made speeches to some of them, breaking the custom that presidential hopefuls not campaign. Harrison's death in April 1841 marked the first time an American president failed to complete his term; he was succeeded by Vice President John Tyler. The unofficial campaign motto, "Tippecanoe and Tyler Too", has been called the most famous presidential campaign slogan in U.S. history.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Henry_Harrison_1840_presidential_campaign

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1881:

Indigenous Mapuche began an uprising against the occupation of Araucanía by Chile. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mapuche_uprising_of_1881

1943:

The Holocaust: The largest massacre of Jews by German forces began at Majdanek concentration camp. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Harvest_Festival

1957:

The Soviet Union launched Sputnik 2, carrying the space dog Laika (depicted) as the first living creature to enter orbit around Earth. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laika

1996:

Abdullah Çatlı, a leader of the ultra-nationalist Grey Wolves, was killed in a car crash near Susurluk, Turkey, sparking a scandal that exposed the depth of the state's complicity in organized crime. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susurluk_scandal

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

attainable: Able to be accomplished, achieved, or obtained. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/attainable

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

I contend to be a fighter for pureness and truth. I hesitate, because I am afraid of you and your attitude towards truth. To say the truth about you is dangerous to life.   --Wilhelm Reich https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Wilhelm_Reich