Harris accepts Democratic presidential nomination Kamala Harris then accepted the Democratic presidential nomination: So, on behalf of the people, on behalf of every American, regardless of party, race, gender or the language your grandmother speaks, on behalf of my mother and everyone who has ever set out on their own unlikely journey on behalf of Americans, like the people I grew up with, people who work hard, chase their dreams and look out for one another, on behalf of everyone whose story could only be written in the greatest nation on Earth. I accept your nomination for president of the United States of America. The room erupted into applause. A look back at the conclusion of the Democratic national convention The fourth and final night of the Democratic national convention finished after Kamala Harris accepted the party’s presidential nomination. Only 74 days remain until the 5 November election. Here’s a look back at what happened this evening: In her acceptance speech, Harris called for Americans to “fight for this country we love”, while warning of the “extremely serious” consequences of electing Donald Trump, who she described as an “unserious man”. Harris reflected on the role her mother played in influencing her career as a prosecutor, which was also inspired by a friend who was sexually abused. The vice-president said she would “always stand up for Israel’s right to defend itself”, but also spoke of Gaza, saying “the scale of suffering is heartbreaking”. Harris described the election as a “fleeting opportunity” to move the country out of what she described as a political rut, while trying to appeal to the moderate and independent voters who could decide swing states. Gretchen Whitmer, the Michigan governor and rising talent in the Democratic party, was one of the final speakers before Harris, and called her “a total badass” who can be trusted in a crisis. Gabby Giffords, the former congresswoman and gun safety advocate who suffered a brain injury in a 2011 assassination attempt that left six people dead, told the convention Harris could “beat the gun lobby”. The Uncommitted movement did not succeed in getting a Palestinian-American to speak from the convention stage, despite holding a sit-in outside the venue. Outside the security perimeter, Gaza solidarity protests continued. Despite plenty of rumors, there was no special musical guest. Beyoncé did not appear, nor did Taylor Swift, though we did see Pink and the Chicks. Democrats were “euphoric” and “overjoyed” as they left their party’s convention. Charlene Dukes, a delegate from Maryland, said she shed a few tears as she watched Kamala Harris accept the party’s nomination. “To know that we have the possibility to have the first woman, the first woman of color, who identifies as Black and Asian American … oh my goodness,” she said. Dukes said she will return to Maryland – a blue state with a competitive senate race – with a renewed sense of determination to organize and mobilize voters. “We’re going to continue telling young people, middle-aged persons and seniors: you have the right to vote, she said. “That is our right and that determines the where this country is headed.” Democratic national convention concludes And with that, the Democratic national convention has ended. Now we’ll see if Kamala Harris and Tim Walz can translate the energy in the convention hall into an election win. The vice-president’s next big moment in the public spotlight will come on 10 September, when she meets Donald Trump for a debate in Philadelphia. The convention hall is only slowly emptying out. Perhaps people believe the rumored special musical guest will still appear, or they’re just having too much fun with the balloons and confetti that continues to fall from on high. Kamala Harris, Tim Walz and their entourages have left the stage after about 10 minutes as balloons dropped and confetti filled the air. We’re now hearing the convention’s closing benediction. False Beyoncé rumors spread throughout the night There were widespread rumors that Beyoncé was going to perform as a surprise guest on the final night of the convention, fueled by a TMZ report in the middle of the program, headlined, “BEYONCÉ PERFORMING AT DNC’S FINAL NIGHT!!!” But Beyoncé never showed up. As the event was nearing the end, the star’s representative released a statement to the Hollywood Reporter, saying, “Beyoncé was never scheduled to be there. The report of a performance is untrue.” There were also rumors that Taylor Swift or another surprise guest would show up, but the night has ended without any celebrity surprises. Moments after Harris ended her address, Doug Emhoff walked onstage as Beyoncé’s “Freedom” played. Then came her running mate Tim Walz, and his wife, Gwen. The balloons dropped not longer after that, as the screen behind Harris played videos of supporters in swing states waving signs and dancing. In the United Center, the crowd is waving American flags, and tossing around the red, white and blue balloons that fell from the ceiling. Harris calls for Americans to "fight for this country we love" as she wraps up convention address Kamala Harris then wrapped up her address to the Democratic convention by again mentioning the lessons she learned from her mother. “You know, our opponents in this race are out there every day denigrating America, talking about how terrible everything is. Well, my mother had another lesson. She used to teach. Never let anyone tell you who you are, you show them who you are,” Harris said. “America, let us show each other and the world who we are and what we stand for: freedom, opportunity, compassion, dignity, fairness and endless possibilities. We are the heirs to the greatest democracy in history of the world, and on behalf of our children and our grandchildren and all those who sacrificed so dearly for our freedom and liberty, we must be worthy of this moment. It is now our turn to do what generations before us have done, guided by optimism and faith, to fight for this country we love, to fight for the ideals we cherish and to uphold the awesome responsibility that comes with the greatest privilege on Earth, the privilege and pride of being an American.” Harris signals support for ceasefire deal, calls Gaza war "heartbreaking" Kamala Harris addressed one of the most divisive issues before Democrats: Israel’s invasion of Gaza. “With respect to the war in Gaza. President Biden and I are working around the clock, because now is the time to get a hostage deal and a ceasefire deal done,” she said. She spoke forcefully against Hamas and the October 7 attack, saying, “I will always stand up for Israel’s right to defend itself, and I will always ensure Israel has the ability to defend itself, because the people of Israel must never again face the war that a terrorist organization called Hamas caused on October 7.” Harris then turned to the devastation wreaked on Gaza by Israel’s invasion: At the same time, what has happened In Gaza over the past 10 months is devastating. So many innocent lives lost, desperate, hungry people fleeing for safety, over and over again, the scale of suffering is heartbreaking. She then brought the crowd to their feet by declaring: President Biden and I are working to end this war such that Israel is secure, the hostages are released, the suffering in Gaza ends, and the Palestinian people realize their right to dignity, security, freedom, and self-determination. As she talked about her policy towards Israel, we could hear shouting in the United Center, but it was not clear what they were saying. More applause followed when Harris proclaimed: “We trust women.” “We trust women, and when Congress passes a bill to restore reproductive freedom. As president of the United States, I will proudly sign it into law,” she said.