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Buttons, Hats and Music: Campaign 1964

Margaret Chase Smith, Hat to Toss in Ring, 1964

Margaret Chase Smith, Hat to Toss in Ring, 1964

Item 25878 info
Margaret Chase Smith Library

Theodore Roosevelt is credited with turning the phrase "toss my hat in the ring" into a statement of political candidacy.

In 1964, numerous hat makers capitalized on the phrase and sent Margaret Chase Smith hats that she could figuratively toss into the ring to declare her candidacy for president.