On Thursday night, Democrats will converge in Chicago as Vice-President Kamala Harris delivers what could be the most important speech of her career, gearing up for the final push before the November presidential election.
During the concluding session of the Democratic National Convention, Ms. Harris will officially accept her party’s nomination, following an earlier roll call where state delegates affirmed their support.
Her running mate, Tim Walz, took to the stage on Wednesday night, appealing to middle America with a motivational speech reminiscent of an American football coach rallying his team.
US political conventions, a tradition since the 1830s when Democratic delegates first gathered to renominate President Andrew Jackson, occur every four years ahead of the presidential election.
Here’s what you need to know about the 2024 DNC, which has drawn thousands of attendees.
What’s to come on Thursday?
The entire convention has been leading up to Thursday night. When Vice-President Harris takes the stage, she will formally accept the presidential nomination and deliver a speech focused on the upcoming November election. This will be the most pivotal address of her political career.
Harris secured the Democratic nomination after President Joe Biden stepped aside and endorsed her, following weeks of mounting pressure from party members.
Thursday’s lineup also includes expected speeches from Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, both representing key swing states, as well as a prominent address from Republican Adam Kinzinger.
Who spoke on Wednesday?
Wednesday night marked Mr. Walz’s first major opportunity to introduce himself to the nation, particularly aiming to resonate with middle America. His speech was deeply personal, highlighting his family, his career as a teacher, his time coaching a high school football team, his service in the Army National Guard, and his experience as a congressman and governor of Minnesota.
The night also featured a surprise appearance by longtime TV host Oprah Winfrey, who received an enthusiastic response and urged Americans to “choose truth” in the upcoming election.
Among the other prominent Democrats who spoke were former President Bill Clinton and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The evening also showcased rising stars like Josh Shapiro, the governor of the swing state of Pennsylvania.
Earlier in the week, the convention featured President Joe Biden, who stepped aside last month to allow Ms. Harris to run for the presidency. On Monday, he delivered an emotional defense of his tenure in the White House, saying, “America, I gave my best to you.”
That same evening, Hillary Clinton, the 2016 presidential candidate, took the stage, expressing her hope that Ms. Harris might finally shatter the “highest, hardest glass ceiling” by becoming the first female president of the United States.
On Tuesday, back-to-back speeches from Barack and Michelle Obama blended humor with earnest appeals for Democrats to mobilize and vote in November. “Hope is making a comeback,” Mrs. Obama declared, contrasting this sentiment with the “chaos” of Donald Trump’s presidency, as noted by Mr. Obama. Additionally, Trump’s former spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham delivered a speech criticizing her former boss.
America’s Second Gentleman, Doug Emhoff, was introduced on the same night by his son, Cole, who affectionately referred to him as a “goofy dad.” Mr. Emhoff then praised his wife, Ms. Harris, calling her the “right person” for both him and the presidency.
