A Look Back at Chicago Conventions of Yore A Look Back at Chicago Conventions of Yore

The city holds the record for hosting the most conventions and has been shaped by their outcomes.

Chicago is a convention city. As Democrats arrived this week to celebrate Vice President Kamala Harris’s nomination for the presidency, it was the 26th major-party convention held in Chicago, more than anyplace else in the country.

The city’s convention tradition dates back to the mid-1800s, and political parties visited regularly over the century that followed. But it has been an infrequent host since 1968, when clashes outside the convention hall marred the Democrats’ gathering that year.

Here’s a look back at notable Chicago conventions over the generations.