DNC 2024 Day 4 live updates: Harris says she will 'fight for America's future'

Harris set her agenda in a rousing speech at the DNC.

Last Updated: August 22, 2024, 11:30 PM EDT

The moment that millions around the country have been waiting for took place Thursday at the Democratic National Convention as Vice President Kamala Harris accepted the nomination for the presidency.

Harris took the stage to a roaring standing ovation and soon set her agenda in a rousing speech.

Whether it was immigration, reproductive rights or foreign security, the vice president showcased a sharp contrast in policies to former President Donald Trump.

Harris's speech was preceded by a who's who of leaders from both sides of the aisle who all made the case that she is the best person to be the nation's leader.

    Aug 22, 2024, 9:16 PM EDT

    What to know about Harris' family

    Several members of Harris' family, including stepdaughter Ella Emhoff and niece Meena Harris, were up on stage addressing the DNC. Her sister, Maya Harris, is also slated to speak later tonight.

    Here's what to know about her family.

    Helena Hudlin, Meena Harris, and Ella Emhoff take the stage on Day 4 of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Aug. 22, 2024.
    Mike Segar/Reuters
    Aug 22, 2024, 9:16 PM EDT

    'Scandal' stars reunite to fire up crowd: 'You're the Olivia Popes'

    Kerry Washington took the stage to kick off prime-time coverage.

    She began by criticizing any naysayers about a celebrity being at the convention and noted that this was not her moment, but every American's.

    "You are the messengers. You are the fixers. Dare I say it? You are the Olivia Popes," she said referring to her character on the hit ABC show "Scandal." "You are the superheroes saving this democracy."

    Masters of ceremonies Kerry Washington and Tony Goldwyn speak at the United Center in Chicago, Aug. 22, 2024.
    Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images

    Washington ended her speech with a reunion with her "Scandal" co-star Tony Goldwyn, who came out to take a selfie with the roaring crowd.

    Aug 22, 2024, 9:12 PM EDT

    'Comma-la'

    Harris' two great-nieces were brought out for a tutorial with the crowd on how to pronounce her first name.

    Since Harris entered the presidential race, Trump has reverted to an old ploy in his line of attack against her: mispronouncing and mocking her name.

    "Confusion is understandable. Disrespect is not," host Kerry Washington said.

    Her name is a nod to her Indian heritage on her mother's side. In her 2019 memoir, Harris wrote that she pronounced it "Comma-la" and that it means "lotus flower."

    Aug 22, 2024, 9:05 PM EDT

    The Chicks sing the national anthem

    The Chicks are singing the national anthem, as the prime-time programming kicks off.

    It's been more than 20 years after the group went from country music darlings to pariahs after speaking out against then-President George W. Bush at a concert in the run-up to the U.S. invasion of Iraq.

    "Just so you know, we're ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas," singer Natalie Maines told fans in London in March 2003.

    The country group sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" as the prime-time programming kicks off.
    1:36

    The Chicks sing the national anthem at the DNC

    The country group sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" as the prime-time programming kicks off.
    ABCNews.com

    Maines later apologized, saying her remark was "disrespectful." But country radio stations across the country yanked the trio from playlists, while some protesters resorted to publicly trashing their CDs to demonstrate against the singers' perceived lack of patriotism.

    The group changed their named from The Dixie Chicks in June 2020, during the height of the Black Lives Matter protests. They also released their first album in 14 years -- "Gaslighter" -- that year.

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