The donkey and elephant became political symbols in the United States through a combination of political satire and popular culture, primarily driven by cartoonists in the 19th century.

Around the same time, cartoonist Thomas Nast started drawing a stumbling elephant to represent the ... Originally somewhat insulting, the two symbols were embraced in the early 20th century.

the elephant represents the Republican Party and the donkey the Democratic Party. What is less well known is how the animals came to adopted as symbols for the two biggest political forces in the US.

German-born political cartoonist Thomas Nast gave America some of its most enduring symbols: the Republican elephant, the Democratic donkey, and Uncle Sam. Publishing regularly in Harper's Weekly ...

German-born political cartoonist Thomas Nast gave America some of its most enduring symbols: the Republican elephant, the Democratic donkey, and Uncle Sam. Publishing regularly in Harper's Weekly ...