Republican National Conventions through the years

Republican presidential nominee John McCain, Republican vice presidential nominee Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and her daughter Piper Palin stand on stage with members of the Palin family during the Republican National Convention on September 3, 2008 in St. Paul, Minn.

2008 Republican National Convention

Mitt Romney is seen surrounded by aides on the floor at the Republican National Convention 2008 in St. Paul, Minn., September 1, 2008.

2008 Republican National Convention

Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., walks on stage during the Republican National Convention on September 2, 2008 in St. Paul, Minn.

2008 Republican National Convention

Meghan McCain, daughter of Republican presidential nominee John McCain, and his mother, Roberta McCain, at the Republican National Convention, September 1, 2008 in St. Paul, Minn.

2004 Republican National Convention

President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush, Lynne Cheney, and Vice President Dick Cheney wave to the crowd following Bush's speech accepting his party's nomination on the final night of the Republican National Convention September 2, 2004 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

2004 Republican National Convention

Delegates wave signs at the Republican National Convention at Madison Square Garden in New York City, September 1, 2004. Convention delegates formally nominated President George W. Bush for another four-year term on August 31, 2004.

2004 Republican National Convention

Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney addresses delegates at the Republican National Convention at Madison Square Garden in New York City, September 1, 2004.

2004 Republican National Convention

Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., speaks on night three of the Republican National Convention September 1, 2004 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

2004 Republican National Convention

Former President George H.W. Bush(R) greets his granddaughters Barbara(C) and Jenna Bush as he arrives at Madison Square Garden in New York City, August 30, 2004 on the first day of the Republican National Convention.

2004 Republican National Convention

First Lady Laura Bush waves after addressing delegates at the Republican National Convention at Madison Square Garden in New York City, August 31, 2004.

2004 Republican National Convention

Sen. John McCain talks with CBS NEWS' FACE THE NATION host Bob Schieffer from the floor of the Republican National Convention in New York's Madison Square Garden. COPYRIGHT: CBS photo by JP Filo. Copyright 2004 CBS BROADCASTING INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

2004 Republican National Convention

Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pa., addresses delegates at the Republican National Convention at Madison Square Garden in New York City, September 1, 2004.

2004 Republican National Convention

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger leaves the stage after speaking on night two of the Republican National Convention August 31, 2004 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

2000 Republican National Convention

Republican presidential nominee George W. Bush and his wife Laura wave to the crowd after his acceptance speech at the 2000 Republican National Convention at the First Union Center in Philadelphia, August 3, 2000.

2000 Republican National Convention

Former President Gerald Ford, former First Lady Barbara Bush, former President George H.W. Bush and former First Lady Nancy Reagan at the Republican National Convention in Philidelphia, August 1, 2000.

1996 Republican National Convention

Sen. Bob Dole, R-Kan., delivers his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention, San Diego, 1996.

1996 Republican National Convention

Republican presidential candidate Bob Dole waves to supporters upon his arrival in San Diego for the Republican National Convention, August 11, 1996. Dole's wife Elizabeth is at right.

1996 Republican National Convention

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Former President Gerald Ford (R), picks up the gavel August 12, 1996 at the Republican National Convention in the San Diego Convention Center. At left is his son Jack.

1992 Republican National Convention

President George Bush and Vice President Dan Quayle stand with their wives, Marilyn Quayle (L) and First Lady Barbara Bush (R) on the podium at the 1992 Republican National Convention, August 20, 1992.

1992 Republican National Convention

Former President Ronald Reagan speaks at the Republican National Convention in Houston, August 17, 1992.

1992 Republican National Convention

President George H.W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush play with confetti as it showered them at the 1992 Republican National Convention, August 20, 1992.

1992 Republican National Convention

President George Bush (R) and Vice President Dan Quayle (L) respond to the cheers of a crowd gathered to honor them at a rally in the George R. Brown Convention Center, August 19, 1992.

1988 Republican National Convention

George Bush and his family react at a TV show August 17, 1988 in New Orleans during the Republican Convention.

1988 Republican National Convention

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Nancy Reagan and President Ronald Reagan at the Republican National Convention, New Orleans, 1988.

1984 Republican National Convention

President Ronald Reagan speaks at the Republican National Convention in Dallas, August 23, 1984.

1984 Republican National Convention

President Ronald Reagan delivers his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention in Dallas, August 23, 1984.

1984 Republican National Convention

Vice President George H.W. Bush, Barbara Bush, Nancy Reagan and President Ronald Reagan at the Republican National Convention, Dallas, 1984.

1980 Republican National Convention

Ronald Reagan delivers his acceptance speech at the 1980 Republican National Convention in Detroit.

1976 Republican National Convention

President Gerald Ford, First Lady Betty Ford, Vice President Nelson Rockefeller, and vice presidential candidate Bob Dole celebrate winning the nomination at the Republican National Convention, Kansas City, Missouri.

1976 Republican National Convention

President Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan stand at the podium at the Republican National Convention, Kansas City, Missouri

1972 Republican National Convention

President Richard Nixon heads to the 1972 Republican National Convention.

1968 Republican National Convention

1964 Republican National Convention

Sen. Barry Goldwater, R-Ariz., after delivering his acceptance speech at the 1964 Republican National Convention, San Francisco.

1964 Republican National Convention

Sen. Barry Goldwater, R-Ariz., delivers his acceptance speech at the 1964 Republican National Convention in San Francisco.

1964 Republican National Convention

1960 Republican National Convention

1956 Republican National Convention

President Dwight Eisenhower and Vice President Richard Nixon at the 1956 Republican National Convention in San Francisco.

1952 Republican National Convention

Senator Richard Nixon (2nd L), Dwight D. Eisenhower (2nd R) and their wives attend the Republican convention July 12, 1952 in Chicago.

1952 Republican National Convention

The former Commander in Chief of the Allied forces in Europe Gen. Dwight Eisenhower (3rd-L) is surrounded by his four brothers (from left) Milton, Earl, Edgar and Arthur, in 1952, during the Republican Party convention that nominated "Ike" for President of the United States.

1952 Republican National Convention

Dwight and Mamie Eisenhower watching a television during the Republican National Convention, Chicago, Illinois

1952 Republican National Convention

CBS cameraman awaits the arrival of Gen. Dwight David Eisenhower at LaGuardia Airport 6/6/1952. Eisenhower was on his way to Chicago for the GOP National Convention.

1952 Republican National Convention

The 1952 Republican National Convention, in Chicago, IL, July 1952. Mike Wallace and Buff Cobb (r) interview a Dwight D. Eisenhower supporter on the floor of the convention. Copyright CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.

1936 Republican National Convention

Gov. Alf Landon, R-Kan., delivers his acceptance speech at the 1936 Republican National Convention in Cleveland.

1920 Republican National Convention

Republican National Convention, 1920. Warren G. Harding nominated for president, Calvin Coolidge nominated for vice president in Chicago.

1912 Republican National Convention

California delegates cheering on stagecoach at the 1912 Republican National Convention held at the Chicago Coliseum, Chicago, Illinois, June 18-22, 1912. President William Taft and VP James Sherman were nominated for re-election.

1908 Republican National Convention

Republican National Convention, Coliseum, Chicago, June 16, 1908. William Taft and James Sherman were nominated for president and vice president, respectively.