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Convention histories

When political conventions used to be full of surprises.

• 14 mins

Reporting party conventions

The dramatic 1940 Republican Convention where outsider Wendell Wilkie beat the favourite.

• 15 mins

Ferrero nominated

Geraldine Ferraro is Democrats' choice for vice-president nomination.

• 14 mins

Fishing for votes

Candidates' fishing skills can win votes.

• 14 mins

James Mason remembered, 1984

The actor I wouldn't give a part to - James Mason remembered.

• 14 mins

Republicans head for Texas

Dallas prepares for the Republican convention.

• 14 mins

Alfred Knopf (1892-1984)

The life of Alfred Knopf, "simply the best publisher of the twentieth century".

• 15 mins

Car workers to strike

Workers who took pay cuts to help ailing car industry to strike as profits rise.

• 14 mins

Mondale gets mad

Presidential hopeful Mondale gets fighting mad in the campaign.

• 14 mins

Oklahoma ends liquor ban

Last state to end prohibition will now allow liquor to be openly sold.

• 14 mins

Reagan meets Gromyko

First face-to-face meeting between President Reagan and top Soviet leader Gromyko.

• 14 mins

Gangsters in Chicago

Mafia involvement in alcohol during prohibition and in the heroin trade today.

• 15 mins

Old Man Reagan, 1984

How President Reagan's advanced age of 73 has affected the 1984 election debate.

• 15 mins

Political TV commercials

Selling politics in a 30-second TV advertising slot.

• 14 mins

Being 'on welfare'

Headline writers confusing welfare payments with poverty.

• 14 mins

Bodyguards and personal security

Indira Gandhi's assassination, security for public figures and the role of bodyguards.

• 15 mins

George Gallup (1901-1984)

The achievements of George Gallup, inventor of the Gallup poll of public opinion.

• 15 mins

Senator Jesse Helms

The anti-abortion, pro-smoking Senator who may be the man who shapes foreign policies.

• 14 mins

George Aiken of Vermont

Remembering Vermont's longest-serving Senator, George D. Aiken.

• 14 mins

Texas A&M University

Visit to the A&M university - a place built in that typically Texan grand scale.

• 14 mins

China denies move to capitalism

Editorial suggesting China's move to a capitalist economy 'flawed', says official.

• 14 mins

Cholesterol-free Christmas, anyone?

Just in time for the festive season, a new health warning on diet.

• 14 mins

Budget cuts continue

Congress will trim president's budget despite election promises.

• 14 mins

The strong dollar and Lindsay Wellington

A eulogy for Lindsay Wellington, who first commissioned Letter from America.

• 15 mins

Inauguration parade cancelled

Freezing weather forces cancellation of inauguration parade.

• 14 mins

Defending Kingsley Amis

In defence of Kingsley Amis, whose new novel has caused a storm among feminists.

• 14 mins

New Zealand bans US navy

American destroyer refused New Zealand port call over nuclear ban.

• 14 mins

US farming in crisis

Farmers plead for more help as farming subsidies face cuts.

• 14 mins

General Westmoreland libel case

Vietnam general sues TV network over accusatory programme.

• 14 mins

Meese takes oath of office

Edwin Meese finally appointed as attorney general.

• 14 mins