(Friday, June 6, 1856) — Former Secretary of State James Buchanan of Pennsylvania was unanimously nominated president today at the 1856 Democratic National Convention meeting at Smith and Nixon’s Hall in Cincinnati.

Buchanan led incumbent President Franklin Pierce of New Hampshire 135.5 to 122.5 on the first ballot. Buchanan finally won on the 17th ballot with 296 votes.

Pierce became the first the only elected incumbent president who sought but was denied nomination by his party for a second term. His pro-Southern sentiments and his policy of failing to lead on the divisive issue of slavery badly hurt his standing with the voters.

The convention also unanimously nominated former Representative John C. Breckinridge of Kentucky for vice president with 296 votes on the second ballot (U.S. Rep. John A. Quitman of Mississippi had led Breckinridge on the first ballot 60-37).

The Buchanan-Breckinridge ticket would oppose John C. Fremont with William L. Dayton from the new Republican Party, and a strong third party showing from the American Party of the “Know Nothings” represented by former President Millard Fillmore and Andrew J. Donelson in the United States presidential election, 1856.