“Dewey Defeats Truman” events at Miami’s Gold Coast Railroad Museum and Harry S. Truman Little White House in Key West to celebrate 75th anniversary of “most famous wrong call in electoral history”

Photo courtesy Harry S. Truman Library & Museum

On Friday, Nov. 3, and Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, the 75th anniversary of back-to-back historic moments in United States presidential history are to be celebrated at Florida’s Gold Coast Railroad Museum in Miami, and at the Harry S. Truman Little White House Museum in Key West: Nov. 3, the day that the Chicago Daily Tribune released its famously erroneous 1948 “Dewey Defeats Truman” banner headline, and Nov. 4, the day that photographers immortalized the moment that a victorious Harry S. Truman stood on the rear platform of the “Ferdinand Magellan” railcar in St. Louis, MO, and laughingly held the newspaper aloft.

On Nov. 3, the public is invited to participate in a re-enactment of the dramatic 1948 “Ferdinand Magellan” railcar scene with Harry S. Truman’s grandson, actor Clifton Truman Daniel of “Give ‘Em Hell, Harry!” fame representing the 33rd president. Held at the Gold Coast Railroad Museum, 12450 SW 152nd St., Miami, FL, where the historic railcar is housed and on display, the ticketed event is from 6:00-7:30pm, with doors opening at 6:00pm, and includes a presentation by Truman expert and award winning author Dr. Robert Watson. Hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be served.

Nov 4, from noon-2:00pm, the public is invited to a free event on 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” set prop can be enjoyed, and artifacts from the iconic railcar in the Key West Harry S. Truman Foundation collection can be viewed. In Harry S. Truman tradition and spirit, guests at both events are encouraged to wear the 33rd president’s preferred Key West attire of Hawaiian shirts.
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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.org/foundation/events.