Final answer:
Gerald Ford, the 38th president, spoke at the 1976 Republican National Convention where he secured the nomination but later lost the presidential election to Jimmy Carter.
Step-by-step explanation:
Gerald Ford, the thirty-eighth president of the United States, spoke at the Republican National Convention in 1976. He managed to secure the Republican nomination after narrowly defeating Ronald Reagan in the primaries. However, his presidential campaign faced challenges, such as his unpopularity stemming from his pardon of Richard Nixon. Eventually, he lost the general election to his Democratic opponent, Jimmy Carter. The Republican National Convention of 1976 was significant because it followed Ford's contested primary campaign against Reagan and showcased his political stance during a time of change within the conservative movement.