Political Emblems Pint Collection

The donkey and the elephant, symbols for the Democratic and Republican parties respectively, were popularized by the cartoonist Thomas Nast in the 1870s. The donkey was first associated with Andrew Jackson’s 1828 presidential campaign, where his opponents labeled him a ‘jackass.’ Jackson embraced the symbol, which was later popularized by Nast. The elephant was also introduced by Nast in an 1874 cartoon in Harper’s Weekly, depicting the Republican vote as an elephant—symbolizing strength and dignity. These emblems have since become enduring symbols of the two major political parties in the U.S.