<human>:  What is the history of the Democratic party?
<bot>: The Democratic Party is the oldest political party in the United States. It was founded in 1828 by Andrew Jackson, who became the seventh President of the United States. The party grew out of the Democratic-Republican Party, established by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. The party officially adopted its modern name in the 1840s. Ever since then, it has been the leading left-leaning party in the United States, seeking to promote equality and social justice through progressive policies. The Democratic Party has also consistently argued in favor of protecting the environment and helping the less fortunate. Today, it is the largest political party in the United States.