1976 Republican National Convention facts for kids

Gerald Ford and his wife Betty celebrate at the end of the convention

The 1976 Republican National Convention was a big meeting where the Republican Party chose its candidates for President and Vice President. This important event happened from August 16 to August 19, 1976. It took place in Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Missouri. At this convention, President Gerald R. Ford was chosen to run for a full term as President. He won after a close contest with former California Governor Ronald W. Reagan. The convention also picked Senator Robert J. Dole of Kansas to be the Vice President candidate.

What Was the 1976 Republican Convention?

A national convention is a special gathering where a political party officially chooses its candidates for President and Vice President. It's also a time for the party to decide on its main ideas and goals. The 1976 Republican National Convention was held to nominate the Republican candidates for the 1976 presidential election.

Choosing the Candidates

At the convention, delegates (people chosen to represent their states) vote for who they want to be the party's nominee. In 1976, the main choice for President was between two important leaders:

• President Gerald Ford: He was already the President at the time. He became President after Richard Nixon resigned.
• Ronald Reagan: He was a very popular former Governor of California.

The race between Ford and Reagan was very close. In the end, Gerald Ford won enough votes from the delegates to become the Republican nominee for President.

The Vice President Pick

After the presidential candidate is chosen, they usually pick someone to run with them as Vice President. President Ford chose Senator Robert J. Dole from Kansas. Senator Dole was a well-known figure in the Republican Party. He was chosen instead of the current Vice President, Nelson Rockefeller.

Where the Convention Happened

The 1976 Republican National Convention was held at Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Missouri. This arena is a large building used for many events, including sports and concerts. It was a big stage for such an important political event.

Images for kids

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  Kemper Arena was the site of the 1976 Republican National Convention

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  Oversized circular logo used for the 1976 Republican National Convention.