Historical significance of the 2024 presidential race

DALLAS, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— The 2024 presidential election is in full swing with a possible rematch of former President Trump against President Biden.

28/22 News Reporter Sydney Kostus spoke with a local historian who explained how history could be made if either is elected.

Walking into his office located in Dallas, presidential historian Larry Cook sits surrounded by thousands of historical memorabilia.

“We’re all products of our time, we’re in the moment. We’re living history but we don’t think of it that way,” Cook told 28/22 News.

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With all eyes on the presidential race, Cook explains how President Joe Biden and Donald Trump could mark a milestone by either one of them being the oldest elected president.

“When you think back to history in 1840, William Henry Harrison was 68 years old and at that time, he was the oldest one to run for president at 68,” Cook explained.

If former President Trump were to win, he’d be the second president in history to win two non-consecutive terms. The last time that happened was Grover Cleveland in the late 1800s.

“When they were leaving after he lost the white house, first lady Francis Cleveland told the staff, ‘Don’t change anything because we’re coming back in four years,’ so she was certainly correct about that,” Cook said.

Throughout the decades, Cook says the media has put a spotlight on the election in different ways and it’s changed, specifically through social media.

He says social media is a non-stop medium that can bring factual and inaccurate information to light. He says to make sure to do your research as history tends to repeat itself.

“Look back, look at other elections, look at other candidates. Look at where the country was at the time of the election compared to where we are in 2024 at the time of this election,” Cook added.

Stay with 28/22 News as we continue to follow the presidential race leading up to November.

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