A throng of photographers and spectators surround the “Ferdinand Magellan” railcar as Harry S. Truman, standing with Bernard F. Dickman, displays the infamous Nov. 3, 1948, Chicago Daily Tribune with its incorrect “Dewey Defeats Truman” banner headline. Edwin O. Swift Jr., father of Historic Tours of America President and Director Edwin O. Swift III, was chief photographer for the St. Louis Star Times, and can be seen in this photograph, top of the lower right hand side, in a light colored jacket holding his camera above the crowd. A WWII veteran, he and his wife Helen later launched the Florida Keys Photo Service in Marathon. (Photo courtesy Harry S. Truman Library & Museum)
“Dewey Defeats Truman” events in Key West and Miami to celebrate 75th anniversary of “most famous wrong call in electoral history”
On Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, from 6:00-7:30pm, the 75th anniversary of an iconic moment in United States presidential history will be celebrated at Florida’s Gold Coast Railroad Museum in Miami, as the world-famous news image of Harry S. Truman triumphantly holding aloft the Nov. 3, 1948 Chicago Daily Tribune with its incorrect “Dewey Defeats Truman” banner headline is re-enacted on board the “Ferdinand Magellan” railcar, with Truman’s own grandson, Clifton Truman Daniel, portraying the 33rd U.S. president.
The image, captured from various angles by multiple photographers on the scene, immortalized what the Chicago Tribune has described as “The most famous wrong call in electoral history.”
Upon the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1945, Harry S. Truman became the 33rd President of the United States. In 1948, seeking a second term, and with polls and political experts predicting that his opponent, Gov. Thomas Dewey of New York, would prevail, Truman embarked on a cross-country “whistle-stop” campaign train tour on board the “Ferdinand Magellan” rail car.
It was in St. Louis, Missouri, on the return trip to Washington, D.C., after learning of his surprise victory, that Truman stepped out onto the “Ferdinand Magellan’s” rear platform and photographers captured what has been described as possibly “the most famous political photograph of all time.”
Clifton Truman Daniel is no stranger to depicting his presidential forebear. A professional actor with more than a dozen stage and TV credits, since 2017 he has starred in the long-running stage production, “Give ‘Em Hell, Harry!”, a highly acclaimed one-man-show written by Samuel Gallu which spotlights Harry S. Truman’s life and presidency.
The event will also welcome acclaimed author, historian, and Lynn University professor Dr. Robert Watson, an expert on Truman, who will speak about the impact of his 1948 campaign and the importance of his “whistle-stop” tour. An award winning author, Dr. Watson has published more than 40 books and 200 scholarly articles and essays on topics in political, military, and social history, as well as two multi-volume encyclopedia sets on the presidents and first ladies.
The “Ferdinand Magellan,” built in 1928 and one of more than 40 historic rail cars now housed at the Gold Coast Railroad Museum, served as Presidential Rail Car, U.S. Number 1 from 1943-1958, and was acquired by the museum in 1959.
While Friday, Nov. 3, marks the 75th anniversary of the historic erroneous “Dewey Defeats Truman” banner headline, Saturday, Nov. 4 marks the 75th anniversary of the iconic scene that memorialized it. Among the photojournalists in the tightly packed throng surrounding the “Ferdinand Magellan” that day was Edwin O. Swift Jr., chief photographer for the St. Louis Star Times and father of Historic Tours of America President and Director Edwin O. Swift III. This date will be celebrated with a companion event at the Harry S. Truman Little White House Museum in Key West.
On the 4th, from noon until 2:00pm, the public is invited to the grounds of the Harry S. Truman Little White House, 111 Front St., Key West, where light refreshments and desserts will be served, photo op’s with the “Give ‘Em Hell, Harry!” Ferdinand Magellan rear platform set prop can be enjoyed, and artifacts from the iconic railcar in the Key West Harry S. Truman Foundation collection can be viewed. Admission to the Nov. 4 event is free. Guests are invited to visit the Foundation’s welcome tent for information on future events and ways to become involved in The Key West Harry S. Truman Foundation.
Tickets for the Friday, Nov. 3 Gold Coast Railroad Museum event, located at 12450 SW 152nd St., Miami, FL, include hors d’oeuvres and 2 drink tickets and are $25 for Key West Harry S. Truman Foundation and Gold Coast Railroad Museum members, $30 for non-members, and $15 for children under 12 years of age. Tickets are limited; doors open at 6:00pm. Admission to the Key West event on the 4th is free. In Harry S. Truman tradition and spirit, guests at both venues are encouraged to wear the 33rd president’s preferred Key West attire of Hawaiian shirts.
The 75th anniversary “Dewey Defeats Truman” celebration is presented by the Key West Harry S. Truman Foundation, The Society of Presidential Descendants, and the Gold Coast Railroad Museum, and sponsored by Historic Tours of America and the National Fire Sprinkler Association. For tickets and information, visit www.trumanlittlewhitehouse.
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