Schedule of the 1956 Democratic National Convention

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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.

U.S. Senator John F. Kennedy nominating Stevenson on August 16

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.

Selection of dates

Prior to 1956, it had been typical that Democrats held their convention after the Republicans.[1] From 1864 through 1952, the Democratic Party had held its convention at an later date than the Republicans in every election except 1888.[2] 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.[3]

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.[2]

Start times

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.[4][5][6][7][8]

August 13 afternoon session: opening session

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 [4]
Dorothy Vredenburgh secretary of the Democratic National Committee call for convention [4]
Marvin Griffin governor of Georgia presentation of gavel [4]
Richard J. Daley mayor of Chicago and chairman of the Cook County Democratic Party welcoming address [4]
Jacob M. Arvey member of the Democratic National Committee from Illinois [4]
Dorothy Vredenburgh secretary of the Democratic National Committee report on temporary convention officers [4]
George Smathers senator from Florida and chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee [4]
Michael J. Kirwan congressman from Ohio and chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee [4]

August 13 evening session

  • invocation
  • performance of The Star Spangled Banner by Frank Sinatra[9]
  • 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 [4]
John F. Kennedy senator from Massachusetts narration of keynote film [4]
Frank G. Clement governor of Tennessee keynote address [4]
Eleanor Roosevelt former first lady of the United States [4]

August 14 afternoon session

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 [5]
Katie Louchheim director of women’s activities for the Democratic National Committee [5]
Edna F. Kelly congresswoman from New York [5]
Leonor Sullivan congresswoman from Missouri [5]
Gracie Pfost congresswoman from Idaho [5]
Edith Green congresswoman from Idaho [5]
Martha Griffiths congresswoman from Michigan [5]
Coya Knutson congresswoman from Minnesota [5]
Iris Faircloth Blitch congresswoman from Georgia [5]
Thaddeus M. Machrowicz congressman from Michigan [5]

August 14 evening session

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[a] [6]
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 [5]
Richard B. Richards member of the California State Senate and nominee for U.S. Senate [5]
Harold Russell former national commander of American Veterans of World War II and Korea [5]
Wayne Morse senator from Oregon [5]

August 15 evening session

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[b] [6]
Robert S. Kerr senator from Oklahoma [6]
William L. Dawson congressman from Illinois and vice chair of the Democratic National Committee [6]

August 16 afternoon session: roll call of states (presidential nominating speeches)

  • Invocation[7] by C. Luther Cunningham (reverend, St. Paul's Baptist Church of Philadelphia)[10]
  • Performance of The Star Spangled Banner[7]
  • Roll call of states ahead of presidential balloting:[7]
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 [11]
Warren Magnuson senator from Washington speech withdrawing own name from consideration [11]
John F. Kennedy U.S. Senator from Massachusetts nominating speech for Adlai Stevenson II [11]
Edith Green congresswoman from Idaho seconding speeches for Adlai Stevenson II [11][12]
Herbert Lehman senator from New York [11]
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 [13][14]
Harry S. Truman former president seconding speeches for Averrell Harriman [13][14]
Thomas C. Hennings Jr. senator from Missouri nominating speech for Stuart Symington [15][16]
Joseph J. Leary advisor to Alabama Gov. Chandler nominating speech for Happy Chandler [17]
Pitt Tyson Maner convention floor manager of Chandler campaign seconding speeches for Happy Chandler [17]
Alex Campbell convention delegate from Indiana

August 16 evening session: presidential nomination balloting

  • Invocation [7]
  • Performance of The Star Spangled Banner[7]
  • Presidential balloting[7]
  • Remarks by Adlai Stevenson II (as presidential nominee) announcing that he would not be selecting a preferred running-mate[18]

August 17 afternoon session: vice presidential nominating

  • Invocation[8]
  • Performance of The Star Spangled Banner[8]
  • Vice presidential balloting[8][19]

August 17 evening session: closing session

  • Invocation[8]
  • Performance of The Star Spangled Banner[8]
  • Speaking program:
Speakers for 5th evening (Friday, August 17) of 1956 convention
Speaker Position/notability Notes Cite
Harry S. Truman former president [8][20]

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Estes Kefauver senator from Tennessee acceptance speech of vice presidential nominee [8][20][19]
Adlai Stevenson II former governor of Illinois acceptance speech of presidential nominee [8][20][19]

Notes

  1. was immediately followed by a vote on the appointment of the committee to escort the permanent chairman and the introduction of the permanent chairman[6]
  2. followed by vote to adopt platform

References

  1. "Convention Cities". St. Joseph News-Press. May 9, 1951. p. 8. Retrieved March 31, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. "Whose Convention Goes First?". Slate Magazine. 3 August 2000. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  3. Price, Warren C. (July 9, 1952). "Oregon Convention Goers Face Ticket, Travel and Hotel Troubles". Eugene Register-Guard. p. 13. Retrieved May 9, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "Program For Opening Day of Democratic Convention". The Baltimore Sun. The Associated Press. August 13, 1956. p. 6. Retrieved April 1, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. "Today's Program". The Central New Jersey Home News. The Associated Press. August 14, 1956. p. 5. Retrieved April 1, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. "Convention Program". The Birmingham News. The Associated Press. August 14, 1956. Retrieved June 24, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. "Demo Convention Schedule For Today, Tomorrow". Belleville Daily Advocate. The Associated Press. p. 1. Retrieved June 24, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. "Demo Convention Schedule For Today, Tommorrow". Belleville Daily Advocate. The Associated Press. p. 2. Retrieved June 24, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. Lane, Russ (August 12, 1956). "Delegates Are Provided Cooled Cars, Soft Seats". Ledger-Enquirer. The Associated Press. p. 6. Retrieved April 3, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. Slater, Harold M. (August 16, 1956). "Convention Prayer by Negro Minister". St. Joseph News-Press. The Associated Press. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. "Adlai Stevenson Ready For First Ballot Win Tonight; Nominations Made; Harriman Hangs On". The Oregon Daily Journal. United Press. August 16, 1956. p. 1. Retrieved June 24, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. McKean, Douglas (August 16, 1956). "Seconding Role Given Mrs. Green". The Oregon Daily Journal. p. 1. Retrieved June 24, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. "Truman Votes "Finish" Fight For Harriman". Ames Daily Tribune. United Press. August 16, 1956. p. 1. Retrieved June 25, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. Reilly, W. Newland (August 16, 1956). "Magnuson Declines After Name Put Up, Stevenson Favored". Spokane Chronicle. p. 1. Retrieved June 25, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. Trask, Herbert A. (August 16, 1956). "Symington Still Will Be Placed In Nomination bay His Backers; Missouri Delegates Concede It Will Be Only Honorary Gesture, Many Hope to Back Stevenson Quickly". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. p. 7. Retrieved June 25, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. Slater, Harold M. (August 16, 1956). "Symington Pleased With Work Done for Him at Convention". St. Joseph News-Press. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. Vance, Kyle (August 16, 1956). "Indiana, Alabama Delegates To Second Chandler's Nomination". Paducah Sun. The Associated Press. p. 23. Retrieved June 25, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. "Stevenson Wins 1st Ballot Nomination; Nominee Leaves V-P Selection to Convention". The Paducah Sun. The Associated Press. August 17, 1956. p. 1. Retrieved June 24, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. "Demo Convention Schedule Today". The Macon News. August 17, 1956. p. 1. Retrieved June 24, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. "Convention Schedule". The Daily Iberian. United Press. August 16, 1956. p. 4. Retrieved June 25, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.