Jason Carter, the grandson of former President Jimmy Carter, was the first speaker of the night.

"Kamala Harris carries my grandfather's legacy," he said. "She knows what is right and she fights for it. She understands that leadership is about service, not selfishness."

Jimmy Carter, who is in hospice care and is nearing his 100th birthday in October, told his family he wants to make it to vote for Harris in November, Jason Carter said.

"Papa is holding on. He is hopeful, and though his body may be weak tonight, his spirit is as strong as ever," Jason Carter said.

Patti LaBelle, renowned as the "Godmother of Soul," took to the stage to sing "You Are My Friend" while an in memoriam played behind her.

Those remembered included former first lady Rosalynn Carter and California Sen. Dianne Feinstein.

The second night of the DNC is officially underway in Chicago.

Tonight's theme is "A bold vision for America's future" and will feature a keynote address by former President Barack Obama.

The convention will also hold a ceremonial roll call for Harris, who became the official Democratic presidential nominee following a virtual roll call earlier this month.

A group of Israeli and American artists showcased their work throughout the day Tuesday to draw attention to the more than 100 hostages still being held by Hamas in Gaza.

The Israeli American Council (IAC), a nonprofit organization that advocates for the Israeli American community, held the pop-up exhibition it called "Hostage Square" in an empty lot about five blocks east of the United Center, where the DNC is being held through Thursday.

All the art was created in response to the Oct. 7 attacks in Israel, said Jeff Aeder, a Chicago-based real estate investor who put the exhibition together over the last four weeks.

The show "is a much more effective way at looking at a different narrative, opposed to two groups yelling at each other, to highlight the plight of the hostages and the trauma that has been felt by the Jewish world," he said. "Art is a good way for people to tell these stories."

Throughout the day Tuesday, about a thousand people visited the exhibition, according to Aeder, including Michael Herzog, Israeli ambassador to the U.S., and families of several hostages.

Aeder said he is determining if the art will travel to different locations. He said he is realistic, knowing "it's very hard" to summon change through artwork. But he hopes the exhibition is one of "a thousand different points of contact" with the public to create awareness about the plight of the hostages and their families.

"We need to continually do everything we can to bring attention to it, because we never know what’s going to touch somebody," he said. "Being silent is not an option."

-ABC News' Mark Guarino