Philadelphia conventions through the years
1856: The first Republican convention is held in the City of Brotherly Love.
1872: Republicans return to Philadelphia and nominate Ulysses S. Grant and Henry Wilson.
1900: The city hosts its third Republican convention. The ticket: William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt.
1936: The Democrats come to Philadelphia, throwing the first of their two conventions here.
1940: The first televised convention was the 1940 Republican Convention in Philadelphia. Philadelphia’s director of public safety posts a notice in the hotel of the GOP headquarters, welcoming visitors and warning them with a few don’ts: “Don’t match coins, play cards or gamble with strangers. Don’t leave your hotel room unlocked. Be on the alert if approached by an apparently half-drunk jovial fellow who attempts to stick a cigar in your mouth. This occurs mainly in gents’ rooms in hotels. While such a man is giving you a cigar he is removing your wallet.”
1948: A big year for political conventions. The Republicans came to town in late June and left with a party ticket of Thomas E. Dewey and Earl Warren. The Democrats arrived July 12 and left three days later having nominated Harry S. Truman and
Alben W. Barkley. Following the Democrats, the Progressive Party, a new party, voted to have Henry A. Wallace and Glen H. Taylor lead their party to victory.
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Most Frequent Convention Hosts
1. Chicago
Total Conventions: 25
Most Recent: 1996
2. Baltimore
Total Conventions: 10
Most Recent: 1912
3. Philadelphia
Total Conventions: 8
Most Recent: 2000
4. St. Louis
Total Conventions: 5
Most Recent: 1916
5. New York
Total Conventions: 5
Most Recent: 1992
6. San Francisco
Total Conventions: 4
Most Recent: 1984
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Sources: Congressional Quarterly’s Guide to U.S. Politics; Los Angeles Times
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