Democratic National Convention 2016 Collection

Title: Democratic National Convention 2016 Collection

Dates: 2016

Collection Number: FC.2016.08

Creator/Collector:

Extent: 3 Document Boxes, 3 Oversize Folders

Repository: California State University, Fullerton. University Archives and Special Collections

Fullerton, California 92834-4150

Abstract: This collection is part of CSUF Archives and Special Collections' Freedom Center. It i

Language of Material: English

The DNC 2016 Collection largely consists of Convention materials held and handled by Sanders and Clinton delegates on the Convention Floor. Materials include protest signage, official DNC rally signs, campaign buttons, and official Delegate items. Also included are four Los Angeles Times newspapers that cover the Convention. The significance of this collection is found in the two major unprecedented aspects of the convention. First, the spontaneously printed/crafted protest signage organized by both moderate and radical Sanders Progressive delegates. The protest materials used at the 2016 DNC are likely some of the best preserved, and highlight the issues that mattered deeply to Sanders delegates (Banning Fracking, Voting down the TPP, etc.), and plainly show both the passion and the anger that stemmed from the Progressives within and outside the Democratic Party. Second, the official DNC signage handed out to delegates and attendees to rally for Presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and her various supporters (President Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, and Vice President Joe Biden). All of these materials capture a piece of one of the most unprecedented Presidential elections in United States’ history.

Property rights reside with the California State University, Fullerton University Archives and Special Collections. No part may be quoted for publication without the written permission of the University Archives & Special Collections, CSU Fullerton or the copyright holder.

Democratic National Convention 2016 Collection. California State University, Fullerton. University Archives and Special Collections

The Democratic Party was established in 1792 by followers of Thomas Jefferson (the Anti-Federalists), and began being called the “Democratic Party” during the Jackson administration in the 1830s. In all of the National Conventions this Party has held, few come close to the unprecedented events at the 2016 DNC. The 2016 Democratic National Convention took place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania between July 25th and July 28th. The two most unprecedented aspects of this Convention are (1) the protests/demonstrations carried out by large numbers of Bernie Sanders delegates [especially delegates from California] and (2) the electing of the first female Presidential nominee in a major political party.

The DNC 2016 Collection largely consists of Convention materials held and handled by Sanders and Clinton delegates on the Convention Floor. Materials include protest signage, official DNC rally signs, campaign buttons, and official Delegate items. Also included are four Los Angeles Times newspapers that cover the Convention. The significance of this collection is found in the two major unprecedented aspects of the convention. First, the spontaneously printed/crafted protest signage organized by both moderate and radical Sanders Progressive delegates. The protest materials used at the 2016 DNC are likely some of the best preserved, and highlight the issues that mattered deeply to Sanders delegates (Banning Fracking, Voting down the TPP, etc.), and plainly show both the passion and the anger that stemmed from the Progressives within and outside the Democratic Party. Second, the official DNC signage handed out to delegates and attendees to rally for Presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and her various supporters (President Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, and Vice President Joe Biden). All of these materials capture a piece of one of the most unprecedented Presidential elections in United States’ history.