The Democratic Convention, held between Aug 19 to Aug 22 in Chicago Il, included caucus and council meetings, Democratic speakers and the formal nomination of Vice-President Kamala Harris and her running mate Governor Tim Walz for the 2024 Presidential election.

“I will be a president who unites us around our highest aspirations.” Vice-President and Presidential candidate Harris said during her speech on Thursday. “A president who leads and listens; who is realistic, practical and has common sense; and always fights for the American people. From the courthouse to the White House, that has been my life’s work.” 

The convention was an opportunity for members of the Democratic party to address the public and show their support for Vice-President Harris. On the night of the fourth day of the convention, Harris took the podium, met with applause. She began her speech by thanking her husband, expressing her love for President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, and her confidence in her running mate Gov. Walz. She went on to tell her story, starting with her parents and her childhood, and going on to speak on her career as a lawyer. She addressed former president and presidential candidate Donald Trump and spoke against him and his presidency. 

“I’m inspired by a new generation of leadership.” Harris said near the end of her speech. “You are pushing us to realize the ideals of our nation, pushing us to live the values we share: decency and fairness, justice and love. You are the patriots who remind us that to love our country is to fight for the ideals of our country.”

During her speech Trump posted on Truth Social over 40 times. His posts included defense to some of her statements, statistics from Biden’s presidency, and mentions of his next appearance, which took place on FOX news. 

“I’m getting ready to be fair but critical of Comrade Kamala Harris.” Trump’s first post regarding the Democratic National Convention, read. “My Play by Play will be on TRUTH Social, starting SOON!”

One change to this year’s convention was during the roll call. The Democratic National Convention always includes a roll call; however, this year each state and territory had a musical salute. The songs included “Shake it Off” by Taylor Swift, “Stick Season” by Noah Kahan, “Despacito” by Luis Fonzi featuring Daddy Yankee, and “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd. Texas’s song was “TEXAS HOLD EM’” by Beyoncé. The roll call served as an opportunity for the Democratic party to celebrate each state during a time of transition for the country. 

“We’re in the battle for the very soul of America.” President Biden said in his speech on the first day of the convention, later adding, “I’ve been determined to keep America moving forward, not going back. To stand against hate and violence in all its forms. To be a nation where we not only live with but thrive on diversity, demonizing no one, leaving no one behind, and becoming a nation that we profess to be.”

President Biden followed a speech by first lady Jill Biden and was introduced by his daughter Ashley Biden. During his speech he interacted with the crowd, and continued on to speak on extremists in the country and Trump. Having dropped out of the Presidential election he used this opportunity to endorse Vice-President Harris

“I am feeling hopeful,” Former President Barack Obama said during his speech. “because this convention has always been pretty good to kids with funny names who believe in a country where anything is possible; because we have a chance to elect someone who has spent her entire life trying to give people the same chances America gave her, someone who sees you and hears you and will get up every single day and fight for you, the next President of the United States of America, Kamala Harris.”

Obama spoke on the second day of the convention. Following a speech by his wife Michelle Obama and starting off by saying, “I am the only person stupid enough to speak after Michelle Obama.” He spoke of his presidency and President Biden’s presidency as well, saying that in the eight years they worked together they “became brothers.”

Correction 8/29/24: A repeated quote was replaced in the fourth paragraph