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.

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Here's how the news is developing:
Aug 19, 2024, 11:37 PM EDT

Biden: 'Are you ready to vote for freedom?'

President Joe Biden speaks onstage during the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center on Aug. 19, 2024 in Chicago.
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Biden kicked off his remarks after a long standing ovation from the crowd peppered with cheers of "We love Joe!" and "Thank you, Joe!"

He thanked his daughter for her introduction and gave shout-outs to his family, especially their "rock" first lady Jill Biden.

"My dad used to have an expression for real. He'd say, 'Joey, family is the beginning, the middle and the end.' And I love you all. And America, I love you," he said to loud applause.

"Let me ask you, are you ready to vote for freedom? Are you ready to vote for democracy and for America? Let me ask you, are you ready to elect Kamala Harris and Tim Walz?" Biden continued.

Biden kicked off his DNC remarks after a long standing ovation from the crowd peppered with cheers of "We love Joe!" and "Thank you, Joe!"
1:55

Biden: 'Are you ready to vote for freedom?'

Biden kicked off his DNC remarks after a long standing ovation from the crowd peppered with cheers of "We love Joe!" and "Thank you, Joe!"
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Aug 19, 2024, 11:30 PM EDT

Teary eyed Biden takes the stage

Ashley Biden, stands next to her father President Joe Biden as he wipes his eyes upon arriving on stage to speak on the first day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) at the United Center in Chicago, Aug. 19, 2024.
Kamil Krzaczynski/AFP via Getty Images

President Joe Biden wiped away tears as he approached the DNC stage to a standing ovation.

He embraced his daughter Ashley and thanked the crowd.

"I love you, thank you," he said.

President Joe Biden hugs his daughter Ashley Biden after she introduced him on the first day of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Aug. 19, 2024.
Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images

"He wasn't just a girl dad. I could see that he valued and trusted women," she said.
8:10

Ashley Biden calls president the 'O.G. girl dad' during DNC introduction

"He wasn't just a girl dad. I could see that he valued and trusted women," she said.
ABCNews.com

Aug 19, 2024, 11:26 PM EDT

Ashley Biden calls president the 'O.G. girl dad'

Biden's daughter, Ashley Biden, called the president the "O.G. girl dad" in her remarks introducing him.

First Daughter Ashley Biden speaks onstage during the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center on Aug. 19, 2024 in Chicago.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

"He wasn't just a girl dad. I could see that he valued and trusted women," she said. "How he listened to his mother, how he believed in his sister, and most of all, how he respected my mother's career."

She continued, "Dad, you always tell us, but we don’t tell you enough that you are the love of our lives and the life of our love."

Aug 19, 2024, 11:23 PM EDT

'We will fight, and we will win together': Jill Biden

First lady Jill Biden talked about her husband's kindness and devotion to helping others during his years of service.

She noted that she "saw him dig deep into his soul and decide to no longer seek reelection and endorse Kamala Harris."

First Lady Jill Biden speaks onstage during the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center on Aug.19, 2024 in Chicago.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Jill Biden said that she and her family valued Harris for years, given the kinship the vice president had with Beau Biden.

"We have seen her courage, her determination and her leadership up close. Kamala and Tim, you will win, and you are inspiring a new generation," she said.

"We will fight, and we will win together," the first lady added.

First Lady Jill Biden talked about her husband's kindness and devotion to helping others during his years of service.
4:38

First Lady Jill Biden takes the stage at the DNC

First Lady Jill Biden talked about her husband's kindness and devotion to helping others during his years of service.
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