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DNC 2024 Day 3 live updates: Walz tells Democrats to 'leave it on the field'

Walz introduced himself to the country and touted his accomplishments.

Last Updated: August 21, 2024, 11:12 PM EDT

The third night of the Democratic National Convention continued the themes of joy and freedom.

A who's who of speakers, including a surprise speech from Oprah Winfrey, headlined the night aimed to showcase vice presidential nominee Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

"Coach Walz" brought his energy to the crowd touting his and Vice President Kamala Harris' vision for the future of the country.

    11:12 PM EDT

    Oprah takes indirect jabs at Trump and Vance

    Oprah has not mentioned Trump by name, but appeared to reference the former president and his running mate JD Vance.

    "America is an ongoing project," she said.

    Television star Oprah Winfrey got one of the biggest ovations of the night as the DNC crowd shot to its feet when she walked on stage.
    Television star Oprah Winfrey got one of the biggest ovations of the night as the DNC crowd shot to its feet when she walked on stage.

    "It requires commitment. It requires being open to the hard work and the hard work of democracy, and every now and then, it requires standing up to life's bullies."

    She then brought up Vance's "childless cat lady" comments to cheers.

    Television host and producer Oprah Winfrey speaks on Day 3 of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, on Aug. 21, 2024.
    Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images

    "Despite what some would have you think we are not so different from our neighbors," she said. "When a house is on fire, we don't ask about a homeowner's race or religion. We don't wonder who their partner is or how they voted. No, we just try to do the best we can to save them. And if the place happens to belong to a childless cat lady, well, we try to get that cat out too."

    10:46 PM EDT

    Oprah Winfrey backs Harris

    "What we're going to do is elect Kamala Harris as the next president of the United States," she said after taking the stage.

    "What we're going to do is elect Kamala Harris as the next president of the United States," she said after taking the stage.
    "What we're going to do is elect Kamala Harris as the next president of the United States," she said after taking the stage.

    The first time Oprah put her legacy brand behind a political candidate was Barack Obama in 2008.

    Oprah Winfrey speaks on stage during on Day 3 of the Democratic National Convention on Aug. 21, 2024 in Chicago.
    Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

    "That was some epic fire," she said of the Obamas speeches last night, taking inspiration from Michelle Obama's call on the crowd to "do something!"

    10:33 PM EDT

    Oprah gets one of the biggest receptions of the night

    Television star Oprah Winfrey got one of the biggest ovations of the night as the crowd shot to its feet when she walked on stage.

    Oprah Winfrey speaks on stage during on Day 3 of the Democratic National Convention on Aug. 21, 2024 in Chicago.
    Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

    10:30 PM EDT

    Amanda Gorman, Biden-Harris inauguration poet, reads poem on unity

    Amanda Gorman, who gained national fame after reciting her poem "The Hill We Climb" at the Biden-Harris inauguration in 2021, read a new poem at the DNC that stressed unity.

    She said everyone is there because "we believe in the American dream" but that is being tested.

    "It falls to us to ensure that we do not fall, for a people that cannot stand together, cannot stand at all," she said.

    PHOTO: National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman speaks on  Day 3 of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) at the United Center in Chicago, Aug. 21, 2024.
    National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman speaks on Day 3 of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) at the United Center in Chicago, Aug. 21, 2024.
    Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images

    "We are one family, regardless of religion, class, or color, for what defines a patriot is not just our love of liberty, but our love for one another," she continued.

    "This is loud in our country's call because while we all love freedom, it is love that frees us all," she said to applause.

    She ended her poem with, "Let us not just believe in the American dream, let us be worthy of it."