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We've partnered with Politico for an eight-part series titled “Conventional Wisdom,” telling the stories behind some of the most memorable political conventions in U.S. history -- and how they have impacted today's political climate.

How It Started (1831): Conventional Wisdom

In 1831, a radical third party had a new idea for selecting a presidential candidate, and it’s still in use today: the national nominating convention.

The Split (1860): Conventional Wisdom

Some issues are too fundamental for a party to withstand, and the consequences can last for a generation.

The Modern Primary (1912): Conventional Wisdom

In 2016, some Bernie Sanders supporters have said the delegate process isn’t fair. In 1912, a battle over the primary process transformed American politics.

A Broken Party (1924): Conventional Wisdom

Immigration has been a defining issue in a campaign before, and the consequences transformed the Democratic Party.

The Outsider Republican (1964): Conventional Wisdom

Donald Trump’s candidacy isn’t the first time the Republican Party has been split by an outsider declaring war on the establishment elite.

The Mess In Chicago (1968): Conventional Wisdom

There are important lessons to be learned from the Democrats’ 1968 Chicago convention.

The Power of the Delegate (1976): Conventional Wisdom

In 1976, Ronald Reagan found owning the soul of a party isn’t the same as taking home its nomination.

The Speech (2004): Conventional Wisdom

Sometimes the most important speech at the convention isn’t delivered by the nominee.