DNC 2024 Day 1 live updates: Emotional Joe Biden casts election as choice to 'save democracy'
"I hope you know how grateful I am to all of you," Biden said.
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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Teary eyed Biden takes the stage
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.
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.
"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."
'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."
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.
Delaware Sen. Chris Coons leads crowd in 'We love Joe!' chant
Delaware Sen. Chris Coons, a close Biden ally, spoke ahead of the president's keynote speech.
He thanked Biden for his service, saying the president "passed and signed into law the most consequential legislation of any president in 60 years, helping our veterans, advancing gun safety, cutting prescription drug prices, fighting climate change, rebuilding bridges and broadband, bringing manufacturing back to America."
He thanked Biden for "elevating a great leader in Kamala Harris" and led the crowd in a chant of "We love Joe!" at the end of his speech.