1948 Presidential Election

The 1948 U.S. presidential election was contested primarily between incumbent President Harry S. Truman and Republican challenger Thomas E. Dewey. Despite predictions favoring Dewey, Truman campaigned vigorously and emphasized issues like civil rights and economic recovery post-World War II. The election results were unexpectedly close, but Truman won decisively, securing a full term. The famous photo of Truman holding up the mistakenly labeled "Dewey Defeats Truman" headline captures the surprise victory. This election remains notable for its polling inaccuracies and Truman’s determined campaign, which affirmed the importance of campaign strategy and voter engagement.