DNC 2024 Day 1 live updates: Biden lays out choice to 'save democracy' with Harris

"I hope you know how grateful I am to all of you," Biden said.

ByAlexandra Hutzler, Meredith Deliso, Ivan Pereira, Brittany Gaddy, and Mark Guarino
Last Updated: August 20, 2024, 12:32 AM EDT

Democrats kicked off their convention Monday with a who's who of guests who all touted Vice President Kamala Harris' run for the White House.

Several topics came up during the night including the future of reproductive rights and Project 2025.

Harris made a surprise appearance after several Democratic VIPS took the stage, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

The main stars of the night were some of the Democrats' longstanding figures including Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

But the main spotlight came as President Joe Biden spoke to the cheering crowd, reflecting on his four years as president and his decision to "pass the torch" to Harris.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing:
Aug 19, 2024, 5:24 PM EDT

Rep. Phillips reflects on his early call for Biden to exit 2024 race

Rep. Dean Phillips, a former 2024 Democratic presidential candidate who was the first congressional Democrat to question Biden's candidacy, appeared on ABC News Live to discuss the state of the election since Biden dropped out of the race.

ABC News' Kyra Phillips asked the Minnesota congressman if he felt like he deserved an apology for being the first to say Biden should leave this race.

"Just walking into this room today ... that's the only apology I needed," he replied, adding: "It's the energy, the excitement. I was just begging for a party to listen. ... I don't need an apology. What I need is for us to win, and it feels pretty darn good here today."

Rep. Phillips said this convention "is a passing of the torch to the new generation. I think people want to leave here feeling something."

The Minnesota lawmaker didn't receive much praise for calling on President Joe Biden to end his re-election campaign. He joins the show to discuss what's occurred since Biden dropped out of the race.
9:29

Rep. Dean Phillips was 1st congressional Democrat to question Biden candidacy

The Minnesota lawmaker didn't receive much praise for calling on President Joe Biden to end his re-election campaign. He joins the show to discuss what's occurred since Biden dropped out of the race.
ABCNews.com

-ABC News' Isabella Meneses

Aug 19, 2024, 4:58 PM EDT

Biden does stage check ahead of his keynote speech

President Joe Biden was seen doing a stage check Monday afternoon at the United Center in preparation for his opening night speech.

President Joe Biden does a stage check before the start of the first day of the Democratic National Convention, in Chicago, Aug. 19, 2024.
Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

President Joe Biden does a stage check before the start of the first day of the Democratic National Convention, in Chicago, Aug. 19, 2024.
Mike Blake/Reuters

Aug 19, 2024, 4:36 PM EDT

March on the DNC starts

A march organized in support of Palestinians in Gaza during the DNC has started, hours before its first night of programming kicks off.

Organizers with the Coalition to March on the DNC, which represents more than 200 activist organizations, said about 15,000 people were present for a rally held in Union Park, near the convention site, ahead of the march.

Demonstrators prepare for start of the "March on the DNC" during the first day of the Democratic National Convention Aug. 19, 2024, in Chicago.
Scott Olson/Getty Images

Aug 19, 2024, 4:29 PM EDT

Biden continues to 'fine tune' speech and is in 'great spirits' on way to DNC

Biden continues to "fine tune" his speech after working on it over the weekend and is in "great spirits" as he heads to the convention, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters aboard Air Force One.

"Yeah, look, the president is certainly going to continue to fine tune the speech, if you will. He had an opportunity to work on it this past weekend with Mike Donilon and Vinay Reddy, and so he's very much looking forward to this moment. As I just said, it is a fulfilling moment for him, and he's excited. He's excited," Jean-Pierre said.

"It's a big night. He's looking forward to it. He's looking forward to addressing the Democratic Party and and obviously the nation. It's a big night," she added

President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden walk to board Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House as they prepare to travel to the Democratic National Convention, Aug. 19, 2024, in Washington.
Shawn Thew/epa-efe/shutterstock/SHAWN THEW/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Jean-Pierre said Biden was in a good mood on the plane ride over.

"He's in great spirits and I think what you'll see is a president who has put his kind of his personal agenda aside and putting the country first, and that's who he's always been throughout his career, more than 50 years," Jean-Pierre said.

Read more about what observers expect from Biden's opening night speech here.

-ABC News' Cheyenne Haslett