1940 Democratic National Convention

Called to order at Chicago Stadium

The Democratic Party opened its national convention at Chicago Stadium on 15 July 1940. Democratic National Committee chairman James A. Farley called it to order, and Chicago mayor Edward J. Kelly welcomed the delegates.

Kelly turned his welcoming address into an appeal to draft President Franklin D. Roosevelt for a third term. A two-term presidency was still a political tradition rather than a constitutional limit.

At the evening session, House Speaker William B. Bankhead served as temporary chairman and delivered the keynote.

The famous scenes came later

Alben Barkley's reading of Roosevelt's message and the staged 'We want Roosevelt' demonstration — the disembodied chant often described as a voice from the sewers — belong to 16 July, not opening day. The Congressional Record identifies Barkley as permanent chairman on the 16th.

No presidential nomination occurred on the 15th. On opening day the published program still reserved selection of the nominee for a later session.

When the balloting actually happened

Contemporary accounts assign the presidential balloting to 17 July, the convention's third day, with reports describing Roosevelt as nominated early on 18 July. Either chronology excludes the 15th.

Roosevelt's remotely delivered acceptance came shortly after midnight at the start of 19 July — a separate act from the convention-floor nomination.

By the end of opening day the convention machinery was running and Kelly had publicly advanced the draft campaign, but the party had neither heard Roosevelt's message nor chosen its nominee.