Next year’s event is sure to evoke memories of many of those past gatherings, both the good and the bad. And the list of famous figures who have been nominated in Chicago is impressive — including many who did not win.
Most recently, Democrats were here in 1996 to nominate President Bill Clinton for a successful run for a second term.
The time before that? Well, in 1968, a Democratic Party about as divided as the country was beset by protesters who were met by police brutality. Sen. Hubert Humphrey of Minnesota was nominated and went on to lose to Richard Nixon in the fall.
Vice President Al Gore and President Bill Clinton wave to delegates on the last night of the 1996 Democratic National Convention at the United Center in Chicago.
Pablo Martinez Monsivais/Sun-Times
An Aug. 29, 1968, photo shows Vice President Hubert Humphrey (right) and his running mate, Sen. Edmund S. Muskie (left), with their wives at the Democratic Convention in Chicago following their nomination for president and vice president.
Associated Press
On Aug 29, 1968, Dick Gregory invited the entire crowd to come home with him, to determine if there really was freedom of movement on the streets of Chicago. The march was stopped at 18th Street and Michigan Avenue by the National Guard,
Sun-Times file photo
Before Clinton and Humphrey, however, many passed through Chicago on their way to the White House — or in some cases, a losing campaign.
• Grover Cleveland, the only president — so far — to serve two nonconsecutive terms, was nominated for both those successful candidacies in Chicago, in 1884 and 1892. He lost his 1888 bid for reelection when he was nominated in St. Louis. Maybe Democrats returned for good luck?
• William Jennings Bryan was nominated here in 1896 in part on the strength of his “cross of gold” speech advocating a free-silver monetary policy. But he lost in the fall.
• Franklin D. Roosevelt won four terms in the White House, and three of those nominations, including his first, was right here, in 1932. That’s also the year he broke with tradition by actually attending the nomination in person (just wasn’t done before that).
• A local favorite, Illinois Gov. Adlai Stevenson II, who went on to lose twice to Dwight D. Eisenhower, was nominated here both times, in 1952 and 1956.
• Republicans have met here too, of course, including in 1860, nominating another local favorite who was more successful — Abraham Lincoln. And Eisenhower, that WWII hero who beat Stevenson twice, also was nominated here once, in 1952.
But it’s the Democrats’ turn here next year, so here’s a look at what happened before.
Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley pumps his fist as he speaks from the floor of the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
Associated Press
Mayor Richard J. Daley and son Richard M. Daley jeer Sen. Abraham Ribicoff, D-Conn., at the Democratic National Convention August 28, 1968, as he criticizes what he called the “Gestapo” tactics Chicago police were using against protesters.
Gary Settle/Chicago Daily News
Hubert H. Humphrey speaks to the crowd during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, on Aug. 29, 1968.
Associated Press
A demonstrator at the Democratic National Convention fights off tear gas as he walks in front of a police barricade at the Conrad Hilton Hotel.
Duane Hall/Sun-Times
Mike Wallace, of CBS News, is hustled off the Democratic National Convention floor in the aftermath of a row between delegates and security officers during the presidential nominating session on Aug. 28, 1968, in Chicago.
Associated Press
Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley is shown at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Aug. 28, 1968, during the nominating session.
Associated Press
General view of the floor at the final session of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Aug. 29, 1968.
Associated Press
An Aug. 28, 1968, photo shows National Guardsmen lining the street as they are confronted by protesters in front of the Conrad Hilton Hotel in Chicago, headquarters for the 1968 Democratic National Convention.
Associated Press
Soldiers and protesters in a confrontation during the 1968 National Democratic Convention on Michigan Avenue at 18th Street.
Duane Hall/Sun-Times
As demonstrators are placed into police vans, Chicago police form a battle line against thousands of others during a melee in Chicago on Aug. 28, 1968. The police are lined up and looking north on Michigan Avenue at the Conrad Hilton hotel, headquarters for the Democratic National Convention.
Associated Press
Police reroute a big throng of hippies and yippies as they try to clear Grant Park during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Aug. 28, 1968.
Associated Press
Workers install the presidential seal at the podium of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago’s United Center Aug. 29, 1996, preparing for President Clinton’s acceptance speech on the final day of the four-day gathering of delegates.
Associated Press
A July 1996 photo of construction underway for the 1996 Democratic National Convention at the United Center in Chicago. The basketball and hockey arena got a Hollywood-style makeover by Emmy-winning Los Angeles designer Rene Lagler for the convention.
Associated Press
The block diagonally left of the United Center was designated by the city of Chicago as one of two locations for demonstrations during the 1996 Democratic National Convention.
Associated Press
The traditional balloon drop at the conclusion of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, which renomiated Bill Clinton and Al Gore for their 1996 presidential and vice presidential candidates.
Richard A. Chapman/Sun-Times
First lady Hillary Rodham Clinton (front row, far right) laughs while Democratic leaders dance the Macarena on stage at the end of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in 1996.
Associated Press
President Bill Clinton gives his acceptance speech after being nominated for a second term at the 1996 Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
Pablo Martinez Monsivais(Sun-Times
President Bill Clinton at the 1996 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, along with wife, Hillary, and daughter, Chelsea.
Richard A. Chapman/Sun-Times
President Bill Clinton waves to the crowd on the last night of the 1996 Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
Pablo Martinez Monsivais/Sun-Times
Chicago police officers barricade the perimeter of the United Center, site of the 1996 Democratic National Convention, early on the morning of Aug. 28, 1996.
Associated Press
Vice President Al Gore and his wife, Tipper, wave to delegates from the stage of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center in Chicago on the night of Aug. 28, 1996.
Associated Press
Hillary Rodham Clinton and her daughter, Chelsea, after President Bill Clinton was nominated to run for his second term at the Democratic National Convention at the United Center in Chicago on Aug. 28, 1996.
Associated Press
Actor and activist Christopher Reeve speaks during the Democratic National Convention at the United Center on Aug. 26, 1996, in Chicago.
Associated Press
Delaware Sen. Joe Biden speaks to delegates at the United Center on Aug. 27, 1996, in Chicago during the Democratic National Convention.
Associated Press
First lady Hillary Rodham Clinton addresses the the Democratic National Convention at the United Center in Chicago on Aug. 27, 1996.
Associated Press
The Rev. Jesse Jackson waits while his son, Jesse Jackson Jr., introduces him to delegates at the United Center in Chicago during the 1996 Democratic National Convention.
Associated Press
New York Gov. Franklin D. Roosevelt, Democratic nominee for president, is shown thanking his campaign managers in Chicago on July 2, 1932, after delivering his acceptance speech before the Democratic National Convention.
Associated Press
The big hall at the Chicago Stadium as the Democratic National Convention got underway on June 27, 1932.
Associated Press
Franklin Delano Roosevelt addresses the Democratic National Convention on July 2, 1932. His son James is at right.
Associated Press
Delegates carrying state standards and placards proclaiming “We Want Roosevelt” and “Give Us Roosevelt” jammed the aisles in the Chicago Stadium after President Franklin D. Roosevelt was nominated for a third term at the Democratic National Convention on July 17, 1940.
Associated Press
Opening session of the Democratic National Convention at the Chicago Stadium on July 19, 1944.
Associated Press
Former National Democratic Chairman James A. Farley (left) shakes hands with Sen. Harry S. Truman and wife at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on July 21, 1944. Mrs. Bess Truman, in dark suit and white hat, sits at her husband’s right side. Truman was nominated for vice president on the second ballot.
Associated Press
The first session of the 1944 Democratic National Convention, held in the Chicago Stadium on July 19, 1944.
Associated Press
Delegates to the 1944 Democratic National Convention, waving signs and wearing “Uncle Sam” hats, celebrate in the Chicago Stadium on July 20, 1944, after the name of President Franklin D. Roosevelt was placed in nomination to run for a fourth term.
Associated Press
President Harry Truman shakes hands with Illinois Gov. Adlai E. Stevenson on July 26, 1952, at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, where Stevenson became the party’s presidential nominee.
Sun-Times file photo
Illinois Gov. Adlai Stevenson addresses the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on July 25, 1952.
Associated Press
Sen. John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts on the rostrum at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago touched off a demonstration by his state’s delegation on Aug. 13, 1956. Paul Butler, the party’s national chairman, who introduced Kennedy, is to the senator’s right.
Associated Press
Jacqueline Kennedy, wife of Sen. John F. Kennedy (D-Mass.); Jean Kennedy Smith, the senator’s sister; and Eunice Kennedy Shriver attend the second day of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Aug. 14, 1956.
Associated Press
Adlai Stevenson, just nominated for the presidency at the 1956 Democratic National Convention, stands with fellow Illinoisan, Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley on the rostrum on Aug. 19, 1956.
Sun-Times file photo
The floor of the 1952 Democratic National Convention in Chicago is jammed with cheering delegates waving signs on July 24, 1952 after the name of Illinois Gov. Adlai Stevenson was placed in nomination for the presidency.
Associated Press
Illinois Gov. Adlai E. Stevenson (left) and Sen. John Sparkman of Alabama on the rostrum at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on July 26, 1952, as Stevenson was nominated for president and Sparkman was picked as his running mate.
Associated Press
President Harry S. Truman prepares to pin an official delegate’s badge on lapel of Illinois Gov. Adlai E. Stevenson of Illinois outside the hall where the Democratic National Convention was being held n Chicago on July 25, 1952. Stevenson was unanimously nominated to run for president.
Associated Press
Mahalia Jackson sings “The Lord’s Prayer” at the closing of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Aug. 17, 1956.
Associated Press
Delegates demonstrate in favor of Sen. John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts as he is placed before the Democratic National Convention on Aug. 17, 1956, in Chicago as a possible vice presidential nominee.
Sneed is told President Joe Biden was actually warned a year and a half ago by a top top Dem pollster that his reelection was in the doghouse with young voters. Gov. J.B. Pritzker was being urged to run in a primary in case Biden pulled the plug.
Teams fanned out around the United Center and McCormick Place on Friday distributing flyers to explain the security perimeter zones that begin as early as Aug. 16.
The up-and-coming Chicago artist’s major commission in East Garfield Park is one of seven projects tied to the city’s moment in the national political spotlight.
From reminders of the hurdles they’ve had to overcome to confidence in Harris’ ability to lead, these delegates describe what the vice president’s nomination means to them.
The courtroom at the Area 3 police station at Belmont and Western will be staffed from 8 a.m. to midnight during the week of the convention, which begins Aug. 19.
The Sun-Times first reported the Harris campaign called Pritzker Wednesday about the possibility of serving as her running mate, but the Illinois governor told reporters that Harris’ campaign “did not call me yesterday.” The Sun-Times stands by its story.
The maps designate two separate perimeters around the United Center and McCormick Place, where Democratic delegates will respectively meet to coronate the party’s presidential nominee and conduct party business
The Democratic National Convention takes place Aug. 19-22, but street closings and public transit detours begin days earlier — and the sprucing up is already underway. “It’s b—----- because it took [the convention] for them to fix it up,” said Henry Horner Homes resident Tracy Johnson of the improvements.
The vice president is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Inc., a Black Greek-letter organization. Her more than 300,000 “sorors” plan to play a large role in the November presidential election.
The department got a black eye over how it dealt with protests following the police killing of George Floyd in 2020. And the images of cops beating demonstrators with batons during the Democratic convention in 1968 are still seared into the national consciousness.
Harris’ campaign called the governor to discuss the No. 2 spot on Wednesday, a source told the Sun-Times. “I’d be reluctant to make a change, but it’d be hard to resist a call and consideration if the nominee called me to ask to be considered for vice president,” Pritzker said on CNN.
The goal is for the nominee to be selected by Aug.7 in order to lock in access to ballots in every state by not waiting for the Democratic convention in Chicago running Aug. 19-22.
The rally in West Allis, just outside Milwaukee, came a day after the vice president earned the support of enough delegates to secure the nomination, which is expected to come formally in early August via a virtual roll call.
“They’re going to do everything they can to turn the American people against her,” former U.S. Sen. Carol Moseley Braun told the Sun-Times. “There are a lot of people out there who don’t like the idea of a woman telling them what to do.”
Individual members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. — whose headquarters are in Chicago — have begun mobilizing in masses to support their “soror” in the historic race for president.
Some major donors signaled their distress about Biden staying in the race by declining to write more checks or host events. That concern dissolved within hours of Harris becoming the presumptive Democratic 2024 nominee, with no rival coming forward.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who had been on short lists as a potential replacement for President Joe Biden, said Monday morning he had spoken to Harris and told her the president’s decision “came as a genuine surprise.”
The decision comes after escalating pressure from Biden’s Democratic allies to step aside following the June 27 debate, in which the 81-year-old president trailed off, often gave nonsensical answers and failed to call out Donald Trump’s many falsehoods.
The fundraiser will be at the home of a family friend on Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. The campaign has at least 10 other fundraising events over the last 10 days of July.
Martez Cristler and Nicholas Virgil were charged with murder and aggravated arson, Chicago police said. Anthony Moore was charged with fraud and forgery in connection with the fatal West Pullman house fire that killed Pelt.
“In terms of that, it kind of just is what it is right now,” Crochet said pregame. “I’m focused on pitching for the White Sox, and beyond that, I’m not really controlling much.”
