Bank, Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1932

The song “Happy Days Are Here Again” from a 1930 movie musical was played at the 1932 Democratic National Convention which nominated Franklin D. Roosevelt. Immediately associated with Roosevelt’s campaign, it was the first pre-existing song selected for a presidential campaign theme song. Although the phrase “Happy Days” was likely intended to refer to hopes for the end of the Great Depression, this barrel-shaped bank also brought to bring to mind the repeal of Prohibition which was also associated with the song and endorsed by the 1932 Democratic platform. Economic circumstances and his party’s popular positions helped Roosevelt win his first term in the White House, defeating President Herbert Hoover, the Republican incumbent.