kids encyclopedia robot

1972 Democratic National Convention facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

The 1972 Democratic National Convention was a big meeting where the Democratic Party chose its candidates for president and vice president in the 1972 election. It was held in Miami Beach, Florida, from July 10 to July 13, 1972.

An important moment at this convention was when Yvonne Braithwaite Burke became the vice-chair. This was a historic step because she was the first African American woman, and the first woman of color, to hold such a high position at a major political convention.

The people at the convention decided that Senator George McGovern from South Dakota would run for president. For vice president, they chose Senator Thomas Eagleton from Missouri. However, Senator Eagleton later left the race just 19 days after being chosen. This happened after it was shared that he had received mental health treatment in the past. He was then replaced by Sargent Shriver of Maryland, who was related to the famous Kennedy family.

What Was the 1972 Democratic Convention?

A national convention is a special event where a political party officially picks its candidates for president and vice president. It's like a big meeting where delegates, who are representatives from each state, come together to vote. The 1972 Democratic National Convention was where the Democratic Party decided who would represent them in the election that year.

Where Did the Convention Take Place?

The 1972 Democratic National Convention was held at the Miami Beach Convention Center in Miami Beach, Florida. This center is a large building designed for big events and meetings. Miami Beach was a popular spot for conventions, and it provided a place for thousands of people to gather.

Who Was Nominated for President?

The main goal of the convention was to choose a presidential candidate. After many discussions and votes, Senator George McGovern from South Dakota won the nomination. Senator McGovern was known for his strong views on ending the Vietnam War and for wanting to help regular people. He had worked hard to get enough support from delegates across the country.

The Vice Presidential Pick and a Change

After choosing George McGovern for president, the delegates then picked a running mate for vice president. They chose Senator Thomas Eagleton from Missouri. The vice president is the second-highest leader in the country and would take over if something happened to the president.

However, just a short time after the convention, Senator Eagleton decided to leave the race. This was because news came out about his past mental health treatment. It caused a lot of discussion, and he felt it was best to step down.

Because of this, Senator McGovern needed a new running mate. He chose Sargent Shriver from Maryland. Shriver was a well-known public servant and was married to Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who was the sister of former President John F. Kennedy. Shriver joined the ticket to run alongside McGovern for the election.

Images for kids

kids search engine
All content from Kiddle encyclopedia articles (including the article images and facts) can be freely used under Attribution-ShareAlike license, unless stated otherwise. Cite this article:
1972 Democratic National Convention Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.