Kamala Harris has accepted the Democratic nomination for president on the final night of the party convention in Chicago
Harris pledged to lead "for all Americans" and create an "opportunity economy" in a highly personal headline speech
Other key themes included protecting the right to abortion, unity and working-class aspiration
Harris also called for a ceasefire in Gaza, but did not address directly the protests taking place outside the convention over US support of Israel
Republican rival Donald Trump gave a running commentary on social media, saying: "Why didn’t she do something about the things of which she complains?"
Democrats have been riding on a surge of enthusiasm since Harris became their nominee, but polls suggest the election remains extremely tight
Harris accepts Democratic nomination 'on behalf of the people'
Leyla Khodabakhshi
US reporter
Mitt Romney has clarified that he won’t be at the DNC, but he thinks Taylor Swift or Beyoncé could be. "I’m not the surprise guest tonight," he posted , externalon X.
His post followed speculation about a "surprise guest" at the DNC, with George Bush and Romney's name among those floated as possibilities.
Madeline Halpert
Reporting from the convention
Image source, ReutersWearing a silver dress and a Michigan pin, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer is giving a speech about women in politics.
Whitmer is a rising star in the Democratic Party who was once floated as a potential vice-presidential pick for Harris.
She's from a state that's led by three women in the roles of governor, attorney general and secretary of state.
Whitmer starts by talking about Trump's favourite insult of her: "that woman from Michigan".
"Being a woman from Michigan is a badge of honour," she tells the crowd, going on to talk about why she believes Harris should be the next woman to lead the country.
For more on what Harris could learn from a state where women dominate politics, you can read this article.
Sarah Smith
North America editor
There is no doubt who the headline act is at the DNC this week
Even if the speculation that Beyoncé will appear is true – Kamala Harris will be the star of the show
It is reported that she has been travelling on the campaign trail with a teleprompter so she can rehearse for what will be the most important speech of her life.
Most Americans still don’t yet know that much about Harris, even though she has been vice-president for the past three and a half years. So, she can use this speech to introduce herself to voters and link her personal life story with her policies and vision for America.
She will portray herself as representing the future while arguing Donald Trump embodies the past.
The past in the sense that he has been president before whilst she is a fresh new face to many Americans - but also the past in that Democrats argue his policies will take the country backward.
Tonight’s speech and next month’s debate against Donald Trump are likely to be the two most decisive moments in the campaign. The speech we will see in the next hour or so will be a big test for such a new candidate.
Anthony Zurcher
BBC North America correspondent, reporting from the convention
Eight years ago, when former CIA Director and Defence Secretary Leon Panetta addressed the Democratic Convention in Philadelphia, he was met with boos from antiwar delegates.
Tonight, he has a prime-time speaking slot and was met with applause that, while not thunderous, was polite.
Hillary Clinton’s 2016 convention tried to present the same kind of flag-waving patriotism on display here in Chicago, but the dynamics of the Democratic Party at the time – with a sizeable and vocal left-wing contingent energised by presidential candidate Bernie Sanders – were decidedly different.
Phil McCausland
Reporting from the convention
Image source, ReutersWe're hearing from a few different speakers who are focused on national security and foreign policy - something that Democrats have not really addressed this week.
Secretary of Defence Leon Panetta is headlining this segment, which is notable - he was booed by progressive Democrats the last time he spoke at the DNC.
But he's earning cheers now, as he speaks about the threats to the US and the growing conflicts abroad.
He says that Trump's brand of isolationism is unacceptable, particularly as the US needs to respond to "tyrants like Putin".
"We need Kamala Harris behind the Resolute Desk," Panetta says to loud applause.
Phil McCausland
Reporting from the convention
We're hearing from Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, who was a finalist to be Harris's vice-presidential pick.
The former Nasa astronaut and US Navy combat pilot's remarks are focused on foreign policy and national security, and he says Trump's return to the Oval Office would be a threat to both in a more volatile world.
He claims that Trump often demeaned longtime US allies while he was in office, but Harris knows better: "Kamala Harris knows that standing up for our allies means standing up for Americans"
Anthony Zurcher
BBC North America correspondent, reporting from convention
The Democrats at their national convention this week have done their best to boost nominee Kamala Harris and insulate her against Republican attacks. But she still has some vulnerabilities that even the most successful convention cannot completely erase.
Many American voters are still unhappy with the current administration’s handling of inflation and the economy. And while price increases have subsided and growth is solid, unemployment has ticked up and the prospect of a downturn still lingers.
Immigration is another area of vulnerability for Democrats and Harris, who was in charge of addressing root causes of undocumented migration at the US-Mexico border early in the Biden presidency. Border crossings numbers have dipped significantly recently, but the lingering effects of the surge continue to weigh on social services in many American cities.
Republicans are also highlighting some of Harris’s past positions, particularly during her ill-fated bid for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination. The then-senator tacked to the left during that campaign, endorsing positions on universal government-run healthcare, ban on oil shale fracking and policing reform that the Trump campaign have tried to characterise as too extreme.
Madeline Halpert
Reporting from the convention
Image source, Getty ImagesPop star Pink has just started her performance.
She's singing her hit "What About Us" alongside her daughter, Willow.
Madeline Halpert
Reporting from the convention
Image source, EPAGeorgia Democratic Rep. Lucy McBath speaks on stage at the DNC with relatives of gun violence victims
The agenda at the convention has shifted to gun control.
We've just heard from several relatives of victims of gun violence, including Congresswoman Lucy McBath, whose son was killed in a shooting in 2012, and Kimberly Rubio, whose daughter was killed in the Uvalde shooting in Texas.
Former Representative Gabby Giffords - who was shot in the head and survived during an assassination attempt - takes the stage next. She tells the crowd that Harris can "beat the gun lobby" and fight gun trafficking.
Many Democrats have been advocating for years for more gun control measures, but have made little progress. And many Republican lawmakers in Congress have frequently pushed back on gun reforms.
Bernd Debusmann Jr
Reporting from the convention floor
The uncommitted delegates angry about Gaza policy who have been protesting outside have now entered the floor - clearly visible with their black and white keffiyehs.
As they walked past the Nevada delegation, most people appeared to be ignoring them.
Quite a few people didn't seem to notice them. They've now moved towards the centre of the room - where I lost sight of them.
Courtney Subramanian
Reporting from the convention
Image source, Doug EmhoffVice-President Kamala Harris will give the most consequential speech of her political career tonight while also celebrating her 10th wedding anniversary.
Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff first revealed the couple's wedding date in his speech earlier this week, and has shared a series of post across his social media accounts celebrating their decade of marriage.
"Ten years of marriage, forever to go. Happy anniversary, @VP. I love you," he posted on social media, along with a video compilation of photos of the pair.
Image source, Joe Biden / XWhile the fourth night of the DNC is underway, we're getting a behind-the-scenes peak at what US President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden are up to.
Biden shared , externalan image of him, and his wife, calling Harris to wish her good luck.
"Jill and I just spoke to [Harris] — we can’t wait to watch her accept this historic nomination," Biden wrote on X (formerly Twitter). "Kamala and Tim will inspire a generation and lead us into the future."
Bernd Debusmann Jr
Reporting from the convention floor
I've just met up with another lawmaker, Nevada Democratic Representative Susie Lee.
Lee - whose district includes part of Las Vegas, as well as Henderson and Boulder City - says she believes the election will be extremely competitive, particularly in the swing state of Nevada.
"It's not at all in the bag," she says.
Some precincts in Nevada, she explains, are decided by as little as 50 to 100 votes, meaning that mobilising every available voter will be key to maintaining the party's momentum going forward.
"Just think about all the doors you've got to knock, and phone calls you've got to make. Clearly, we have to get people engaged and out to the polls," she adds.
"But I'll tell you - I do think people are exhausted with Donald Trump. There's' a clear choice between Harris and Trump. I think people see it."
Harris' niece and stepdaughter talk about Kamala's support
Some more of Kamala Harris's family members have taken the stage, including her niece Meena Harris, stepdaughter Ella Emhoff and goddaughter Helena Hudlin.
They talk about the positive impact she's had on their lives and say Harris will have the same positive effect on the country if elected president.
Image source, AFPOur celebrity host is now being joined by Kamala Harris's two great nieces to teach the crowd how to pronounce the vice-president's name.
Trump and some Republicans have repeatedly pronounced Harris's name wrong.
"Confusion is understandable," Washington says. "Disrespect is not."
Washington and the two young girls do a call and response with the audience using Kamala's name.
Kerry Washington joins Harris's two great nieces to teach people pronounce 'Kamala'
Phil McCausland
Reporting from the convention
Image source, ReutersKerry Washington brought out her Scandal co-star Tony Goldwyn
The crowd just erupted to welcome actress Kerry Washington, best known for her leading role in the political drama Scandal.
She said that tonight is about "you", referring to voters and Democratic organisers.
The crowd cheered when she asked for someone to bring her phone, and her Scandal co-star Tony Goldwyn rushed out.
She then took a video of herself and the crowd chanting: "When we fight, we win."
Brandon Drenon
Reporting from the convention floor
The DJ is not leaving any room for yawns.
If someone isn’t speaking or a video isn’t playing, the music is bumping.
Luis Fonsi's hit song Despacito turned the DNC floor into a dance floor.
Image source, ReutersWe're hearing a national anthem from The Chicks right now.
The American country band has faced backlash for their political actions before, including when they criticised former President George Bush over the Iraq war.
Phil McCausland
Reporting from the convention
Patriotism is back in a big way at the DNC this year.
Across multiple days and many speakers, we have seen an effort by Democrats to take ownership of the stars and stripes, the "USA" chant and other American themes that they had largely ceded to Republicans.
Yesterday, I saw Democrats moved by Oprah invoking Woody Guthrie's This Land is Your Land.
And now I'm seeing the crowd electrified by Bruce Springsteen's Born in the USA, which is being blasted in the United Center.
Caitlin Wilson
Reporting from the convention
The cameras here in the United Center arena have just cut to Tim Walz and his family dancing to Bruce Springsteen's Born in the USA, as delegates and other attendees wave American flags and cheer.