1854	The Republican party formally organizes itself by holding its first convention, adopting an official platform and nominating a full spread of candidates.
Massachussetts Republican Senator Charles Sumner delivers an anti-slavery speech; Representative Preston S. Brooks canes Sumner unconscious in the Senate Chambers two days later.	1856
	1860	The Republicans solidify their grasp on American politics with the election of Republican President Abraham Lincoln.
The GOP becomes the first party to officially champion women's suffrage.	1896
	1917	Jeannette Rankin, a Montana Republican, becomes the first woman representative in the House.
Vice President Richard M. Nixon wins the Republican presidential nomination. He narrowly loses the election to JFK, with many people believing the televised debates led to Nixon's loss.	1960
	1964	Republican Barry Goldwater, seen by many as radically conservative, loses by a landslide.
The Republicans turn to Nixon again, who wins despite receiving only about 43 percent of the popular vote.	1968
	1972	Nixon wins in the widest margin of any election.
Nixon helps end U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War, but later that year his administration suffers the Watergate scandal and the resignation of Vice President Spiro Agnew. Gerald R. Ford replaces Agnew.	1973
	1974	The House Judiciary Committe recommends that Nixon be impeached, so he resigns. Ford becomes a president for whom no American had voted.
Ford is nominated despite attacks from Reagan.	1976
	1980	Reagan is nominated and wins by an extremely large margin.
Reagan defeats Mondale.	1984
	1988	Vice President George Bush wins the nomination and the Presidency.
Bush loses to Clinton.	1992
	1994	Republicans win control of both houses of Congress.
Robert Dole is beaten by incumbent Clinton.	1996
	2000	George W. Bush defeats Vice President Al Gore.