The 2008 political conventions of the United States

Now that both of the national conventions for the major political parties of the United States have wrapped up, here's a look back at the candidates, how they introduced themselves to the nation (and the world), and a few images of their events, their running mates and families. (The order is roughly alternating, chronological) (36 photos total)

Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Barack Obama, gives his acceptance speech in Denver, Colorado Thursday, Aug. 28, 2008, and U.S. Republican presidential nominee Senator John McCain reacts after accepting the Republican presidential nomination in St. Paul, Minnesota on September 4, 2008. (Obama - AP Photo/Alex Brandon, McCain - REUTERS/Damir Sagolj)

Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama, D-Ill., is cheered after speaking during the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Thursday, Aug. 28, 2008. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) #

Republican presidential nominee John McCain acknowledges the audience as he arrives on stage during the Republican National Convention 2008 at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota, on September 04, 2008. (STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images) #

A convention-goer waves the U.S. flag as Democratic presidential nominee U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) speaks at the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado August 28, 2008. (REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton) #

U.S. Democratic Vice-Presidential nominee Sen. Joe Biden (D-DE) hugs his son Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden, during day three of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) at the Pepsi Center August 27, 2008 in Denver, Colorado. (John Moore/Getty Images) #

Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin stands amid a sea of celebrating delegates as she addresses the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) #

Cameramen are covered in balloons after the acceptance speech of Republican presidential nominee John McCain at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds) #

US Democratic vice presidential candidate Senator Joe Biden (D-DE) addresses the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado, August 27, 2008. (REUTERS/Mike Segar) #

Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin speaks at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds) #

A woman cries as she listens to democratic presidential nominee, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., deliver his speech during the final session of the Democratic National Convention at Invesco Field in Denver, Thursday, Aug. 28, 2008. (AP Photo/LM Otero) #

Cindy McCain, wife of Republican U.S presidential nominee U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), waves on stage during day four of the Republican National Convention (RNC) at the Xcel Energy Center on September 4, 2008 in St. Paul, Minnesota. (Win McNamee/Getty Images) #

Michelle Obama, wife of Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., acknowledges the crowd as she prepares to address the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Monday, Aug. 25, 2008. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia) #

Barack Obama gives his speech during the Democratic National Convention at Invesco Field in Denver Thursday, Aug. 28, 2008. (AP Photo/BRIAN LEHMANN - ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS) #

Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., hugs his wife, Michelle Obama, after giving his acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver Thursday, Aug. 28, 2008.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon) #

Republican presidential nominee John McCain and his wife Cindy McCain stand on the stage following his speech at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) #

A delegate cries during McCain's acceptance speech at the 2008 Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota September 4, 2008. (REUTERS/Damir Sagolj) #

Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama (R) and Vice Presidential candidate Joe Biden (L) appear on stage at the end of the Democratic National Convention 2008 at the Invesco Field in Denver, Colorado, on August 28, 2008. (PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images) #

Republican presidential nominee Senator John McCain (R-AZ) stands amid falling confetti with vice presidential nominee Alaska Governor Sarah Palin after he accepted the presidential nomination at the 2008 Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota, September 4, 2008. (REUTERS/John Gress) #

Balloons fill the arena at the end of the Republican National Convention 2008 at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota, on September 04, 2008. (STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images) #

Michelle Obama, wife of Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama addresses the audience at the Democratic National Convention 2008 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado, on August 25, 2008. (PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images) #

Cindy McCain, wife of Republican U.S presidential nominee U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), speaks on day four of the Republican National Convention (RNC) at the Xcel Energy Center on September 4, 2008 in St. Paul, Minnesota. (Alex Wong/Getty Images) #

A law enforcement official places his hand over the mouth of an anti-war protester from the "Code Pink" group as she is escorted out of the hall during Republican vice presidential candidate Alaska Governor Sarah Palin's speech to the 2008 Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota, September 3, 2008. (REUTERS/Damir Sagolj) #

Democratic vice presidential nominee Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., and wife, Jill, left, wave to the crowd with presidential nominee, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., his wife, Michelle on the last day of the Democratic National Convention at Invesco Field in Denver, Thursday, Aug. 28, 2008. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak) #

Republican presidential nominee Senator John McCain (R-AZ) (R) and his wife Cindy (2nd R) stand with vice presidential nominee Alaska Governor Sarah Palin and her husband Todd after McCain accepted the presidential nomination at the 2008 Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota September 4, 2008. (REUTERS/Mike Segar) #

Workers clean up at the end of day four of the Republican National Convention (RNC) at the Xcel Energy Center on September 4, 2008 in St. Paul, Minnesota. U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) will accept the GOP nomination for U.S. President Thursday night. (Scott Olson/Getty Images) #

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama addresses the Democratic National Convention 2008 at the Invesco Field in Denver, Colorado, on August 28, 2008. (ROBYN BECK/ AFP) #

Republican U.S presidential nominee U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) walks on stage during day four of the Republican National Convention (RNC) at the Xcel Energy Center on September 4, 2008 in St. Paul, Minnesota. (Alex Wong/Getty Images) #

The media apparatus is enormous at the Xcel Energy Center in St. paul, Minn., though largely behind the scenes at the Republican National Convention. (Dina Rudick/Globe Staff) #

Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama (2L) stands with his wife Michelle (R), vice presidential nominee Joe Biden (L) and his wife Jill (2L) on stage with Obama's daughters Sacha (C-L) and Malia (C-R) following Obama's address to the Democratic National Convention 2008 at the Invesco Field in Denver, Colorado. (PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP) #

Cindy McCain (4th L), wife of Republican U.S presidential nominee U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), stands with her children (L to R) Meghan, Andy, Jimmy, Jack, Doug, Bridget, and Sidney during day four of the Republican National Convention (RNC) at the Xcel Energy Center on September 4, 2008 in St. Paul, Minnesota. (Alex Wong/Getty Images) #

Riot police face off with demonstrators as the police block a bridge into downtown St. Paul to keep protesters from getting close to the site at the 2008 Republican National Convention in Minnesota September 4, 2008. (REUTERS/Damir Sagolj) #

Democratic vice presidential candidate Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., center, appears with his family at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2008. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) #

Track Palin, Bristol Palin, her boyfriend Levi Johnston, Willow Palin, Piper Palin, husband Todd Palin holding Trig Palin, presumptive Republican U.S presidential nominee U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) and Republican U.S vice-presidential nominee Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin stand on stage during day three of the Republican National Convention (RNC) at the Xcel Energy Center on September 3, 2008 in St. Paul, Minnesota. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) #

Democratic U.S. Presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) speaks on day four of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) at Invesco Field at Mile High August 28, 2008 in Denver, Colorado. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images) #

Republican presidential candidate John McCain makes his acceptance speech during the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) #

Confetti falls after democratic presidential nominee, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., delivered his speech during the final session of the Democratic National Convention at Invesco Field in Denver, Thursday, Aug. 28, 2008. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) #