Following the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act (which would have greatly expanded the hated practice of slavery) citizens from across the Midwest came together "under the oaks" in Jackson, Michigan, to officially establish a new party which had been commonly conceived in towns like Ripon (WI), Exeter (NH), and Crawfordsville(IA). On JULY 6th, 1854 - The REPUBLICAN PARTY WAS BORN! It was in Jackson that the party name, "Republican," was formally adopted. A political platform (the soul of a party) was passed, and a slate of candidates was chosen for elected office. Though the Party's conception may have happened elsewhere,...