2016 Democratic National Convention facts for kids

Hillary Clinton speaks to the crowd on the last day of the convention

The 2016 Democratic National Convention was a big meeting where members of the Democratic Party chose their candidates for President of the United States and Vice President of the United States. This important event happened from July 25 to 28, 2016. It took place at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, a city in Pennsylvania. Some smaller events were also held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

This convention happened one week after the 2016 Republican National Convention, where the other main party chose its candidates. The two main people hoping to become the Democratic presidential candidate were Hillary Clinton, who used to be the Secretary of State, and Bernie Sanders, a senator from Vermont.

What is a National Convention?

A national convention is a large meeting held by a political party. At this meeting, people called delegates officially choose the party's candidates. These candidates will then run for president and vice president in the upcoming national election. It's also a time for the party to agree on its main ideas and goals.

Choosing the Presidential Candidate

To become the Democratic presidential candidate, a person needed to win the support of many delegates. There were 4,764 delegates at the 2016 Democratic National Convention. A candidate needed to get at least 2,383 delegates to win. This number includes special delegates called "superdelegates." On June 6, 2016, Hillary Clinton won enough support in the Democratic Party presidential primaries. This meant she was almost certain to be the candidate.

Key Moments and Speakers

Many important people spoke at the convention. These speakers included politicians, former presidents, and even some famous entertainers. They talked about the party's goals and why their chosen candidates would be good leaders for the country.

First Night Speakers

• Congresswoman Marcia Fudge was the main leader for the convention. She spoke on the first night.
• Senator Cory Booker also gave a speech.
• Senator Elizabeth Warren gave a very important speech, called the keynote speech.
• Former President Jimmy Carter shared a message through a video.
• Singer Demi Lovato performed and talked about mental health.

Second Night Speakers

• House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi spoke on the second night.
• Senator Amy Klobuchar also gave a speech.
• Actress Elizabeth Banks hosted the second night. She made a joke about another political figure, which some people liked and others did not.

Third Night Speakers

• California Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom spoke.
• Vice President Joe Biden gave a speech.
• Mayor Kasim Reed of Atlanta also spoke.

Fourth Night Speakers

• General John R. Allen spoke on the final night.
• Senator Sherrod Brown delivered a speech.
• Chelsea Clinton, Hillary Clinton's daughter, spoke right before her mother.
• Singer Katy Perry performed songs to show her support for Hillary Clinton.
• President Barack Obama also spoke and showed his support for Hillary Clinton.

Convention Location and Security

The main events were held at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. This large arena was chosen to host thousands of delegates, media, and visitors. Security was very tight to keep everyone safe. For example, special checks were done on buses entering the convention area.

Party Platform and Protests

The convention also decided on the party's official ideas and goals, called the "party platform." Many people thought the 2016 platform was very "progressive," meaning it supported many new and advanced ideas. This was partly because of the influence of Bernie Sanders and his supporters.

Even with the excitement, there were some protests. Some supporters of Bernie Sanders were unhappy with the outcome of the primary election. They held signs and protested inside and outside the convention center. For example, some delegates protested against a trade agreement called the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Images for kids

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  The Wells Fargo Center, where the convention was held.

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  A view of the stage at the Wells Fargo Center during the convention.

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  Security checks a delegate bus entering the convention.

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  Bernie Sanders helped shape the party's ideas at the convention.

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  Congresswoman Marcia Fudge, who led the convention, spoke on the first night.

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  Senator Cory Booker spoke on the first night.

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  Senator Elizabeth Warren gave a main speech on the first night.

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  Former President Jimmy Carter shared a video message.

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  House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi gave a speech on the second night.

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  Senator Amy Klobuchar spoke on the second night.

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  Actress Elizabeth Banks hosted the second night.

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  California Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom spoke on the third night.

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  Vice President Joe Biden spoke on the third night.

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  Mayor Kasim Reed of Atlanta gave a speech on the third night.

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  General John R. Allen spoke on the fourth night.

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  Senator Sherrod Brown spoke on the fourth night.

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  Chelsea Clinton spoke before her mother, Hillary Clinton.

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  Demi Lovato performed and spoke about mental health.

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  Katy Perry performed songs to support Hillary Clinton.

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  President Obama hugging Hillary Clinton.

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  Delegates protest a trade agreement on the convention floor.

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  Protesters supporting Bernie Sanders at a media tent.

See also

In Spanish: Convención Nacional Demócrata de 2016 para niños