(Thursday, June 19, 1856) — Former Senator William Dayton of New Jersey was nominated vice president today at the first Republican National Convention meeting at Musical Fund Hall in Philadelphia.

The convention nominated Dayton over former Congressman Abraham Lincoln of Illinois 520 to 23 votes on the second ballot (Dayton led Lincoln on the first ballot 253 to 110 votes) to join the ticket headed by former Senator John C. Fremont of California (who was chosen by the delegates the previous day).

The Fremont-Dayton ticket would oppose Democrats James Buchanan and John Breckenridge 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.