FNC. Denver Democratic Convention, Then and Now. Denver. Denver. Did You Know? The Nominees

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1 Democratic Convention, Then and Now The last and only time hosted the Democratic Convention was

2 Democratic Convention, Then and Now SNAPSHOT: Population: 210, million (metro ) Mayor: Boss Speer John Hickenlooper $$ raised for the Convention: $100,000 $20,000,000 Cost of a Hotel Room: $1 $144 Miles of Paved Streets: 59 2,000+

3 Democratic Convention, Then and Now The Venues Facility: Auditorium Pepsi Arena Built: Facility Cost: $700,000 $160,000,000

4 Democratic Convention, Then and Now, The Convention and 100 Years Ago. Delegates arrived by train and marching bands greeted them at the station. Snow from the Rocky Mountains was brought down to help cool off the crowds. Accommodations were so tight, the New York Times reports, that Delegates will be compelled to sleep five and six and perhaps more in a room and in a good many instances two delegates will have to occupy the same bed. Williams Jennings Bryan accepted the Democratic Nomination by telephone (at the going rate of $3.25/minute for calls at the time. Mayor Boss Speers pushed to finish a fountain in City Park that dazzled onlookers (current mayor is working to get the fountain up and running for 2008 s convention)

5 Democratic Convention, Then and Now, The Convention and 100 Years Ago. Schlitz (from Milwaukee) advertised in. Vaudeville Shows and Horse Racing were big attractions. The biggest draw, however, were the bordellos which were definitely opened for business during the 1908 Democratic Convention. Madame Mattie Silks (pictured) was one of many who operated a brothel offering, among other things, ballrooms, parlors, pool rooms, "finest wines, liquors and cigars" and the promise of "a cordial welcome to strangers" (which came the way of boarders, a term for "women")

6 Democratic Convention, Then and Now 1908 and the United States In 1908, Henry Ford introduced the Model T. Only three states at the time allowed women to vote. Black voters typically supported the Republican Party and the Democrats at the time rejected an equal rights platform. A record 1.3 million immigrants entered the United States. Labor unions entered organized politics for the first time, beginning a long association with the Democrats. There were 89 documented lynchings that year. U.S. population was 88.7 million. Unemployment was 8% A first-class stamp cost $0.02. Last time the Chicago Cubs won the World Series.

7 Democratic Convention, Then and Now Barack Obama

8 Democratic Convention, Then and Now The 1908 Presumptive Nominee Williams Jennings Bryan followed tradition by not coming to for his party s convention to avoid looking too eager to win the nomination. Instead of attending the convention, Bryan stayed home on his Nebraska farm cutting alfalfa. Bryan stayed in constant contact with the convention by telegraph. Once described as a man of considerable personal magnetism and fine presence. Bryan celebrated his victory with a watermelon party. Bryan accepted the nomination by telephone. Would go on to lose for the third time in a presidential race, the last time to William Howard Taft. Bryan served as Secretary of State under Woodrow Wilson, but resigned as the U.S. moved closer to its involvement in WWI.