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.
Photos: 2024 Democratic National Convention
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Democratic presidential nominee and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris takes the stage on Day 4 of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois, Aug. 22, 2024.
"What we're going to do is elect Kamala Harris as the next president of the United States," she said after taking the stage.
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Oprah Winfrey backs Kamala 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.
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!"
Aug 21, 2024, 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
Aug 21, 2024, 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.
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."
Aug 21, 2024, 10:34 PM EDT
Shapiro pushes 'freedom' message
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro continued with the Democrats' message of freedom contending that they were the party of "real freedom" -- to the cheers of the crowd.
"Kamala’s and Tim’s names may be on the ballot, but it's your rights, it's our rights and our future and our freedoms on the line," he said.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro speaks on stage during Day 3 of the Democratic National Convention on Aug. 21, 2024 in Chicago.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Shapiro drew the line from the Revolutionary War to the Civil Rights movement as examples of how the country has come together to keep those freedoms, prompting chants of "USA" from the crowd.
"E pluribus unum -- out of many, one -- is not merely a motto from the past, but a direction for our future," he said.
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Josh Shapiro calls for 'real freedom,' swipes at Trump in DNC speech
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro continued with the Democrats' message of freedom contending that they were the party of "real freedom" -- to the cheers of the crowd.
Shapiro was on the short list for Harris' vice presidential picks before she selected Walz.