As America closes in on one of the most momentous and controversial presidential elections of modern history, the Smithsonian Institution provides unique context into presidential conventions and the key role of the Vice President on Thursday 8th Octover at 9pm. In this current election, with septuagenarian presidential candidates, the choice of both Vice Presidents has been especially critical – which is of little surprise to historians: 14 Vice Presidents have become President.

Learn more about this often ridiculed and least understood position when Emmy award winning journalist Susan Spencer interviews curators at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery, and then learn how the Smithsonian Institution decides what political memorabilia and artefacts merit collecting for the museum’s permanent collection.