What it means: Sen. Edward Kennedy's appearance could be the last at a Democratic National Convention by a Kennedy brother, closing an era that began in 1956, when John F. Kennedy made a bid for the vice presidency. John Kennedy lost, but it catapulted him to national prominence, and four years later he won the presidency.
A long history: Edward Kennedy has been a constant presence at Democratic conventions, most notably in 1980, when he electrified the convention with his "dream shall never die speech."
No other Kennedys will speak at the convention. But they will gather to commemorate another milestone -- the 40th anniversary of Robert Kennedy's presidential bid.
How he's doing: Kennedy, whose brain tumor was diagnosed in May, came to Denver on Sunday and was examined at a hospital as a precaution. He has spent much of the summer recovering from surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatment.
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