Floor fights, boos and a too-long kiss. How the dramatic and the bizarre define convention history

CHICAGO (AP) — In 1948, the Republican and Democratic parties did something unthinkable in today’s climate of ferocious political animosity: They not only held their national conventions in the same city but also shared some of the props.

Both gathered in Philadelphia, largely because its Municipal Auditorium had already been fitted with the wiring needed for then-groundbreaking live convention coverage on national television.

To save money, Democrats asked Republicans to leave the American flags and bunting up to be reused at their event 17 days later. The GOP complied, though some items became faded and worn in the interval.

Like party camaraderie, the more informal way conventions were staged has evaporated. Once bare-knuckled showdowns to hammer out presidential nominees, modern gatherings have evolved into carefully scripted, made-for-TV events meant to showcase party unity.

High political drama is behind the Democrats when their convention opens Monday in Chicago, after President Joe Biden succumbed to mounting pressure from many in his own party and abandoned his reelection bid last month. There is still the potential for protests at the convention, but Democrats have coalesced with surprising speed and new energy around Vice President Kamala Harris at the top of the party’s ticket. Republicans displayed similarly strong unity in nominating former President Donald Trump during the GOP convention in Milwaukee last month.

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