Old Frontier: Scenes From Democratic Conventions Past

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Herein are scenes from Democratic National Conventions during the Ivy heyday, including 1960, the year of JFK’s famous “New Frontier” speech, as well as 1968, when there were a series of riots. At the bottom of the post is a short video explaining the context of the riots. — CC

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FILE - In this Aug. 28, 1964, file photo, Sen. Robert Kennedy stands before the delegates at the Democratic National Convention in Atlantic City, N.J. Democrats have little hope of matching the fervor and historical import of their 2008 convention, when they made Barack Obama the first black presidential nominee of a major political party. One of the memorable moments from past conventions was delegates standing in tearful silence as Robert Kennedy quotes Shakespeare in tribute to his slain brother, President John F. Kennedy: "When he shall die, take him and cut him out into stars, and he shall make the face of heaven so fine that all the world will be in love with night and pay no worship to the garish sun." (AP Photo)

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July 11, 1960: Rev. Maurice A. Dawkins engages in a 24-hour period of prayer and fasting outside of the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena during the Democratic National Convention. Dawkins and protestors were advocating a liberal civil rights platform. This photo was published in the July 12, 1960 LA Times.
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11 Comments on "Old Frontier: Scenes From Democratic Conventions Past"

  1. Mark Jensen | July 26, 2016 at 1:52 pm |

    Good stuff! Love Adlai Stevens and his pinned collar, even if he was a commie.

  2. Bags' Groove | July 26, 2016 at 4:24 pm |

    @ Mark Jensen
    You obviously know much about Adlai Stevenson.

  3. Joe Kennedy III got some airtime last night. Undoubtedly a future contender. Bernie’s protestors outside last night acted as if they’re so abused and marginalized. Imagine if the Philly police treated them like Daley’s used to treat “rioters.” I wish I could get a hold of the entire tape of the Buckley/Vidal debates in ’68.

  4. There’s a great documentary currently on Netflix title, “Best of Enemies”, covering their relationship.

  5. Yes, I own it. More commentary that actual archival footage.

  6. If only Mayor Daley could see America now…

  7. Like Nixon in 1968, Trump will march into the White House one riot and killing at a time.

  8. Anglophile Trad | July 27, 2016 at 12:56 pm |

    Not only pinned collars, Stevenson also wore buttondowns and bow ties:

    http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_omrFLIgeWk/TZVJ_F8rp1I/AAAAAAAAB2Q/4rIklD6a4PU/s1600/adlai0.jpg

  9. Pretty much right in the middle of the final black & white photograph, there’s a gentleman who clearly could not decide between pinned, straight collar, or button down!

  10. Vern Trotter | December 25, 2018 at 9:59 pm |

    I worked for Nixon in the JFK vs Nixon 1960 campaign in Maryland and for Goldwater against LBJ in the 1964 campaign in Virginia. Fun times for a young man back then who identified as a Bill Buckley conservative. I never new anybody who considered JFK an Ivy dresser and in fact I considered myself a better dresser. I don’t believe I even knew GHWB existed until several years later.

  11. Never knew anybody who considered JFK an Ivy dresser. Wish we could edit.

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