1832 DNC
Baltimore

The very first convention of any major political party marked the transition to nomination by convention from the previous process of nomination by congressional caucus.

"Individual states put up favorite sons, who put forward the idea of a national convention, and that form has remained in place to this day."

  -Robert Remini
  Professor, History Emeritus,   Univ. of Illinois-Chicago

1860 RNC
Chicago

An underdog named Abraham Lincoln used the home-field advantage in Chicago to help secure the Republican nomination, setting up what many believe was the most important presidency in American history.

"And without his election, we may not have a United States of America. We might have a confederacy and another country."

  -Doug Muzzio
  Professor, Public Affairs,
  Baruch College

1896 DNC
Chicago

William Jennings Bryan's "Cross of Gold" speech is arguably the most memorable in U.S. political history. In it, Bryan advocates an increase in the money supply to help cash-strapped farmers.

"Political speeches, however memorable, rarely make things happen. But that speech got him the nomination."

  -Mickey Carroll
  Director, Quinnipiac Univ.   Polling Institute

1920 DNC
San Francisco

A woman's right to vote was the key issue at this convention, which has had one of the most lasting impacts of any convention.

"The Democratic convention of 1920 is a convention that's very close to my heart, as a woman, because it was the first time that a major party supported a woman's right to vote."

  -Flavia Colgan
  Network Political Analyst