Each day from August 13 to August 17, 1956, general sessions of the 1956 Democratic National Convention were held at the Chicago International Amphitheatre in Chicago.
The convention's introductory speeches were delivered on the afternoon of August 13, including a welcoming speech by Richard J. Daley (mayor of Chicago). On the evening of August 13, the keynote speech was delivered by Frank G. Clement (governor of Tennessee) that evening, with an introductory film narrated by John F. Kennedy (senator from Massachusetts) shown before it. Also speaking that evening was Eleanor Roosevelt (former first lady). On the afternoon of August 14, the schedule of speakers primarily featured leading women of the Democratic Party, including several female members of the House of Representatives. On the convention of August 14, the convention formally appointed Sam Rayburn (House speaker) as its permanent chairman, and Rayburn addressed the convention as its chairman. On the evening of August 15, John W. McCormick (House majority leader) presented the proposed party platform to the convention, which voted to adopt it. The convention nominated Adlai Stevenson II for president on August 16, and Estes Kefauver for vice president on the afternoon of August 17. On the evening of August 17, speeches were delivered by both nominees, as well as former president Harry S. Truman. Frank Sinatra, Howard Keel, and Vaughn Monroe were among those who performed renditions of the Star Spangled Banner during the convention.
Logistics Prior to 1956, it had been typical that Democrats would hold their convention after the Republicans held their's. From 1864 through 1952, the Democratic Party had held its convention at an later date than the Republicans in every election except 1888. Republicans had previously attempted in 1952 to usurp this norm by scheduling their convention much a later date than normal in hopes that it would force Democrats to choose an earlier week for their convention, but Democrats still opted to hold their convention in an even later week. Contrary to historic practice, in 1956 the Democrats held their convention at a later date than the Republican convention. From 1956 onwards, it has become an informal tradition that the party with White House incumbency hosts their convention at a later date than the other major party.
Afternoon sessions were scheduled for a start time at 12:00pm local time, while evening sessions were schedule for a start time at 8:00pm local time.
Some consideration was given by party leaders that, in the instance that the party selected its nominee quickly, they might encourage the nominee to deliver an acceptance speech on the same evening they won the nomination (instead of delivering their acceptance speech on the closing evening of the convention). This was because it was anticipated that a near-prime time speech by the nominee on the night of the nomination balloting might provide higher viewership of the nominee's remarks. Stevenson did end up winning the nomination quickly, and delivered remarks on the same evening he was nominated. However, instead of an acceptance speech, his remarks that evening were an announcement that he would not be indicating a preferred running-mate and would instead leave vice presidential nominee selection wholly leave it up to the convention delegates' discretion.
August 13 afternoon session: opening session invocation performance of The Star Spangled Banner Speaking program: + Speakers and performers for 1st afternoon (Monday, August 13) of 1956 convention Speaker Position/notability Notes Cite Paul Butler chairman of the Democratic National Committee opening remarks Dorothy Vredenburgh secretary of the Democratic National Committee call for convention Marvin Griffin governor of Georgia presentation of gavel Richard J. Daley mayor of Chicago and chairman of the Cook County Democratic Party welcoming address Jacob M. Arvey member of the Democratic National Committee from Illinois Dorothy Vredenburgh secretary of the Democratic National Committee report on temporary convention officers George Smathers senator from Florida and chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Michael J. Kirwan congressman from Ohio and chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
August 13 evening session invocation performance of The Star Spangled Banner by Frank Sinatra speaking program:
+ Speakers for 1st evening (Monday, August 13) of 1956 convention Speaker Position/notability Notes Cite Paul Butler chairman of the Democratic National Committee report as chairman of the Democratic National Committee John F. Kennedy senator from Massachusetts narration of keynote film Frank G. Clement governor of Tennessee keynote address Eleanor Roosevelt former first lady of the United States
August 14 afternoon session invocation performance of The Star Spangled Banner speaking program:
+ Speakers for 2nd afternoon (Tuesday, August 14) of 1956 convention Speaker Position/notability Notes Cite David A. Bunn president of Young Democratic Clubs of America Katie Louchheim director of women’s activities for the Democratic National Committee Edna F. Kelly congresswoman from New York Leonor Sullivan congresswoman from Missouri Gracie Pfost congresswoman from Idaho Edith Green congresswoman from Idaho Martha Griffiths congresswoman from Michigan Coya Knutson congresswoman from Minnesota Iris Faircloth Blitch congresswoman from Georgia Thaddeus M. Machrowicz congressman from Michigan
August 14 evening session invocation performance of The Star Spangled Banner by Howard Keel speaking program:
+ Speakers for 2nd evening (Tuesday, August 14) of 1956 convention Speaker Position/notability Notes Cite LeRoy Collins governor of Florida and chair of the convention's Committee on Permanent Organization report of the Committee on Permanent Organization Sam Rayburn speaker of the United States House of Representatives and permanent chairman of the convention address by newly-appointed permanent chairman of the convention Richard B. Richards member of the California State Senate and nominee for U.S. Senate Harold Russell former national commander of American Veterans of World War II and Korea Wayne Morse senator from Oregon
August 15 evening session Invocation Performance of The Star Spangled Banner by Vaughn Monroe speaking program: + Speakers for 3rd evening (Wednesday, August 15) of 1956 convention Speaker Position/notability Notes Cite John W. McCormack House majority leader Report of Committee on Resolutions and Platform Robert S. Kerr senator from Oklahoma William L. Dawson congressman from Illinois and vice chair of the Democratic National Committee
August 16 afternoon session: roll call of states (presidential nominating speeches) Invocation by C. Luther Cunningham (reverend, St. Paul's Baptist Church of Philadelphia) Performance of The Star Spangled Banner Roll call of states ahead of presidential balloting:
+ Nominating, seconding, and withdrawal speeches delivered during roll call Speaker Position/notability Notes Cite Henry M. Jackson senator from Washington nominating speech for Warren Magnuson Warren Magnuson senator from Washington speech withdrawing own name from consideration John F. Kennedy U.S. Senator from Massachusetts nominating speech for Adlai Stevenson II Edith Green congresswoman from Idahoseconding speeches for Adlai Stevenson II Herbert Lehman senator from New York Luther Hodges governor of North Carolina George Leader governor of Pennsylvania William A. Dawson congressman from Illinois and vice chair of the Democratic National Committee Raymond D. Gary governor of Oklahoma nominating speech for Averell Harriman Harry S. Truman former president seconding speeches for Averrell Harriman Thomas C. Hennings Jr. senator from Missouri nominating speech for Stuart Symington Joseph J. Leary advisor to Alabama Gov. Chandler nominating speech for Happy Chandler Pitt Tyson Maner convention floor manager of Chandler campaignseconding speeches for Happy Chandler Alex Campbell convention delegate from Indiana
August 16 evening session: presidential nomination balloting Invocation Performance of The Star Spangled Banner Presidential balloting Remarks by Adlai Stevenson II (as presidential nominee) announcing that he would not be selecting a preferred running-mate
August 17 afternoon session: vice presidential nominating Invocation Performance of The Star Spangled Banner Vice presidential balloting
August 17 evening session: closing session Invocation Performance of The Star Spangled Banner Speaking program:
+ Speakers for 5th evening (Friday, August 17) of 1956 convention Speaker Position/notability Notes Cite Harry S. Truman former president Estes Kefauver senator from Tennessee acceptance speech of vice presidential nominee Adlai Stevenson II former governor of Illinois acceptance speech of presidential nominee
Benediction Final adjournment
Notes
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