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Today in History: Boston Gazette coins term "gerrymander" after Elbridge Gerry

3/26/2026

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Summary

Story summary

On March 26, 1812, the Boston Gazette published a cartoon that introduced the term "gerrymander," named after Governor Elbridge Gerry. This term describes the manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor a specific political party or group. Gerry's approval of legislation creating irregularly shaped districts sparked this enduring political practice.

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Story summary

On March 26, 1812, the Boston Gazette published a cartoon that introduced the term "gerrymander," named after Governor Elbridge Gerry. This term describes the manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor a specific political party or group. Gerry's approval of legislation creating irregularly shaped districts sparked this enduring political practice.