Presidential election, Hyannis Port, MA

1960

Presidential election, Hyannis Port, MA, 1960. Dennis Stock (American, 1928–2010). Gelatin silver print; image: 19.7 x 29.5 cm (7 3/4 x 11 5/8 in.); paper: 19.7 x 29.5 cm (7 3/4 x 11 5/8 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of George Stephanopoulos 2014.638 The 1960 presidential election was a close race and remained unresolved when this image was taken, likely around 3 a.m. election night. Reporters and supporters of John F. Kennedy, assembled near the Kennedy family compound where the candidate was staying, watch Richard M. Nixon and his wife Pat come on television. Nixon says that Kennedy is likely to win but does not actually concede. Not until midday, when the results were definitive, did Nixon send Kennedy a congratulatory telegram. Two of the three computers used by the television networks to predict the outcome of the 1960 presidential election were wrong.