Kamala Harris has made history as the first Black woman and first Asian-American to accept the nomination for president as she closed out the Democratic National Convention in Chicago with both a personal and policy-driven speech on Thursday.
“On behalf of every American…on behalf of my mother and everyone who has ever set out on their own, unlikely journey… on behalf of everyone whose story could only be written in the greatest nation on earth, I accept your nomination for President of the United States of America,” she said.
The cheers in the convention hall hit 120 decibels – the same level as a plane taking off – when Harris told the crowd she accepted the nomination for president. She went on to discuss her plans for the economy, immigration and abortion rights.
The acceptance speech also touched on her middle-class upbringing as the child of immigrants and lasted around 40 minutes, concluding with Beyonce’s hit song “Freedom” – which has been a staple of the Harris campaign.
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“Let’s get out there, and together let’s write the next great chapter in the greatest story ever told,” she said.
Harris was joined onstage by her husband Doug Emhoff as well as Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz and his wife Gwen, as 100,000 balloons were released.
Vice President Kamala Harris etched her name into history on Thursday night as she became the first Black woman and first Asian-American to accept a major party’s presidential nomination. Closing out the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Harris delivered a powerful speech blending personal reflections with detailed policy proposals.
“On behalf of every American… on behalf of my mother and everyone who has ever set out on their own, unlikely journey… on behalf of everyone whose story could only be written in the greatest nation on earth, I accept your nomination for President of the United States of America,” Harris declared to thunderous applause.
The convention hall erupted with cheers reaching 120 decibels—the equivalent of a plane taking off—when Harris officially accepted the nomination. Her speech, lasting approximately 40 minutes, covered her vision for the economy, immigration reform, and abortion rights, and drew on her own experiences as the child of immigrants from a middle-class background.
The event was capped with a spirited performance of Beyoncé’s “Freedom,” a campaign anthem for Harris, and was marked by the release of 100,000 balloons. Harris was accompanied onstage by her husband, Doug Emhoff, and Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz with his wife, Gwen.
“Let’s get out there, and together let’s write the next great chapter in the greatest story ever told,” Harris urged the crowd, signaling the start of a historic campaign journey.
