Donald Trump kisses running mate Indiana Gov. Mike Pence at the Republican National Convention on July 20, 2016, in Cleveland.Christopher Morris—VII for TIME
TIME takes a look at vivid scenes from the GOP’s mega-gathering that comes to a close Thursday, July 21, 2016.
Every four years, the GOP holds the Republican National Convention to officially nominate their pick for president and rally around the party’s newly anointed leader.
Although the convention has differed slightly from years past, such as the Never Trump movement’s last ditch effort to stop the businessman from being nominated and Melania Trump’splagiarism of Michelle Obama’s 2008 Democratic convention speech, the 2016 convention is following familiar patterns.
Republican’s united around their candidate when they officially nominated Trump Tuesday night, capping a stunning primary season.
Major GOP leaders have bashed Hillary Clinton and promoted a narrative that the country needs change and that Donald Trump is the best person to bring it about, all the while protesters gather outside the convention hall as they have in years past.
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and Republican vice presidential candidate Mike Pence stand with their families at the end of the Republican National Convention on July 21, 2016 at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEAttendees celebrate as the Republican National Convention comes to a close on July 21, 2016 at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEDuck Dynasty reality TV star Phil Robertson on the floor at the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Thursday, July 21, 2016.Landon Nordeman for TIMEScenes from the floor at the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Thursday, July 21, 2016.Landon Nordeman for TIMEScenes from the floor at the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Thursday, July 21, 2016.Landon Nordeman for TIMEDonald Trump kisses running mate Indiana Gov. Mike Pence at the Republican National Convention on July 20, 2016, in Cleveland.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEScenes from the floor at the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Wednesday, July 20, 2016.Landon Nordeman for TIMEScenes from the floor at the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Wednesday, July 20, 2016.Landon Nordeman for TIMEScenes from the floor at the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Wednesday, July 20, 2016.Landon Nordeman for TIMEDonald Trump with his children Eric and Ivanka Trump at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, on July 20, 2016. Benjamin Lowy for TIMEA man poses at Instagram's "Mini Oval" office at the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Wednesday, July 20, 2016.Landon Nordeman for TIMEDonald Trump supporter Rachel Day, from Akron, stands outside the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Wednesday, July 20, 2016.Landon Nordeman for TIMETroopers monitor protests outside the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Wednesday, July 20, 2016.Benjamin Lowy for TIMEMounted police from Fort Worth, Texas monitor the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Wednesday, July 20, 2016.Landon Nordeman for TIMEAttendees hold signs at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Tuesday, July 19, 2016.Benjamin Lowy for TIMENew Jersey Gov. Chris Christie attends the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Tuesday, July 19, 2016.Landon Nordeman for TIMEA man attends the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Tuesday, July 19, 2016.Landon Nordeman for TIMEAttendees hold signs at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Tuesday, July 19, 2016.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEA Texas delegate tallies up the votes for the Donald Trump's nomination at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Tuesday, July 19, 2016.Benjamin Lowy for TIMEDonald Trump speaks at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Tuesday, July 19, 2016.Landon Nordeman for TIMEDelegates cheer at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Tuesday, July 19, 2016.Landon Nordeman for TIMEComedian Eric Andre is escorted from the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Tuesday, July 19, 2016.Landon Nordeman for TIMEBoxing promoter Don King attends the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Tuesday, July 19, 2016.Landon Nordeman for TIMEDonald Trump Jr. speaks at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Tuesday, July 19, 2016.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMETiffany Trump speaks at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on July 19, 2016.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEA screen displays the state flag of Mississippi, the only state that includes the Confederate battle emblem in its official state flag, at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Tuesday, July 19, 2016.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEScenes from the floor at the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Tuesday, July 19, 2016.at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland.Landon Nordeman for TIMEButtons are displayed for sale outside the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Tuesday, July 19, 2016. Landon Nordeman for TIMEA pair of men interact with protesters in the Cleveland Public Square at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Tuesday, July 19, 2016.Benjamin Lowy for TIMETrevor Leis, of Lime, supports open carry at the Cleveland Public Square amidst various protests at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on July 19, 2016.Benjamin Lowy for TIMEA police officer stands on a protective crowd control line in the Cleveland Public Square at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on July 19, 2016.Benjamin Lowy for TIMEDelegates pose for a group photo at the Republican National Convention on Monday, July 18, 2016, in Cleveland.Landon Nordeman for TIMEA man dons a "Make America Great Again" hat at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland.Benjamin Lowy for TIMEMelania Trump kisses her husband, Donald Trump in front of an ecstatic crowd, on July 18, 2016.Ben Lowy for TIMEScenes from the floor of the 2016 Republican National Convention on Monday, July 18, 2016, in Cleveland.Landon Nordeman for TIMEDonald Trump appears on stage at the 2016 Republican National Convention on Monday, July 18, 2016, in Cleveland.Landon Nordeman for TIME
