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, 7:19 PM EDT

The Rev. Jesse Jackson gets a standing ovation

US civil rights activist Jesse Jackson is honored onstage during the first day of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, on Aug. 19, 2024.
Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images

The Rev. Jesse Jackson, the civil rights leader and 1988 Democratic presidential candidate, received a standing ovation when he was wheeled on stage, right after a video on the civil rights movement ended.

Jackson was joined by other civil rights icons, including the Rev. Al Sharpton.

Rev. Jesse Jackson, the civil rights leader and 1988 Democratic presidential candidate, received a standing ovation when he was wheeled on stage.
2:02

Rev. Jesse Jackson gets a standing ovation

Rev. Jesse Jackson, the civil rights leader and 1988 Democratic presidential candidate, received a standing ovation when he was wheeled on stage.
ABCNews.com
Aug 19, 2024, 7:13 PM EDT

Minnesota's Peggy Flanagan, Walz's possible successor, introduces Maxine Waters

Peggy Flanagan, Minnesota's lieutenant governor, introduced Rep. Maxine Waters to speak at the DNC. Waters received a standing ovation before speaking.

Flanagan is poised to serve as Minnesota's next governor if Gov. Tim Walz steps down to serve as vice president.

As a citizen of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe, Flanagan would be the first Native American female governor.

PHOTO: Peggy Flanagan, Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota speaks on Day one of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago Aug. 19, 2024.
Peggy Flanagan, Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota speaks on Day one of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago Aug. 19, 2024.
Mike Segar/Reuters
Aug 19, 2024, 7:11 PM EDT

'The fight continues, and there is still more work to do': DNC chair

DNC Chair Jamie Harrison took the stage to tout the Democrats' work over the last four years and the goals of a Harris-Walz administration.

"The fight continues, and there is still more work to do," he said.

"I know that when we elect Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, they will build on our accomplishments and they will create a country that works for every American," he added.

Chair of the Democratic National Committee Jaime Harrison speaks on the first day of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Aug. 19, 2024.
Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images

Harrison encouraged voters to be active in the coming weeks for all races down the ticket.

"In my beloved home state of South Carolina, our motto is, 'While I breathe, I hope.' Folks, I believe in the power of hope, but it's going to take more than hope to win this election," he said.

Aug 19, 2024, 7:09 PM EDT

Crowd is amped up as convention kicks off

Delegates and other attendees here in the United Center are amped up -- and have been paying attention.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson got a rousing applause when he said his daughter will be able to see herself in Harris. And when Democratic National Committee Chair Jamie Harrison started off with one of Harris' marquee remarks, the crowd quickly finished it with him.

"When we fight…" Harrison said.

"We win!" the crowd erupted.

-ABC News' Tal Axelrod