(Wednesday, June 18, 1856) — Former Senator John C. Fremont of California was nominated President on the second ballot today at the first Republican National Convention meeting at Musical Fund Hall in Philadelphia.

Fremont led Supreme Court Associate Justice John McLean of Ohio 359 to 190 on the first ballot. He defeated McLean on the second ballot 520 to 37 votes

The convention would choose Fremont’s running mate the following day to 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.