The Presidential Election of 1896 Production credit goes to Schlessinger Video Productions. The 28th Presidential election in American history took place on November 3, 1896. Turnout was high, and people were saying things like “this is the most important election ever.” Yeah right, as if they don’t say that every election. Grover Cleveland’s second term didn’t go so well. For most of it, the country had been stuck in a severe economic depression. And while the Populist Movement was at its peak,